Prime Minister calls for jobs, skills training and community development in Balochistan as Barrick expresses interest in mineral processing industries in Karachi and Gwadar.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed relevant authorities to ensure that local communities, particularly residents of Balochistan, directly benefit from mineral development projects through employment, skills training and improved economic opportunities.
Chairing a meeting with a delegation of Barrick Mining Corporation, led by its Chairman John Thornton, on Friday, the prime minister emphasised that the effective utilisation of Balochistan’s mineral wealth was essential for provincial development and public prosperity.
According to a Prime Minister’s Office statement, Shehbaz Sharif said the government’s priorities included creating employment opportunities for local youth, developing their professional skills and ensuring communities surrounding mining projects received direct economic benefits.
Welcoming Barrick’s participation in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026, the prime minister described the Reko Diq project as a major milestone for foreign investment and strategically important for Pakistan’s economic future.
He said successful implementation of the project would establish a benchmark for future investment in the country’s mining sector and attract international investors.
The prime minister also highlighted the government’s commitment to improving trade and investment policies, developing infrastructure and introducing modern technologies to facilitate mineral sector investment.
During the meeting, both sides discussed the policy, regulatory and infrastructure requirements for expanding investment in Pakistan’s mining industry.
Shehbaz Sharif also expressed interest in benefiting from Barrick’s international expertise beyond Reko Diq to support the broader development of the country’s mining sector.
Meanwhile, the Barrick delegation appreciated the government’s initiative to organise the investment forum and expressed keen interest in investing in mineral processing industries in Karachi and Gwadar.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Special Assistants Tariq Fatemi and Lieutenant General (retd) Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, along with senior government officials.