KARACHI: Pakistan is moving beyond economic recovery toward sustainable growth. The country is now focusing on innovation, new investment, and reforms that ease business and create jobs.
Pakistan aims to become a $1 trillion economy by 2040, with the Reko Diq project playing a key role. The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) is driving this change. It has cut red tape, accelerated approvals, and opened doors for foreign investment.
With a population of over 240 million and strategic regional importance, Pakistan is beginning to harness its true potential in minerals, technology, and exports. Mega-projects like Reko Diq, a fast-growing IT sector, and record seafood exports signal a structural shift in the economy.
If momentum continues, Pakistan could reach a $1 trillion economy by 2040, a target once considered distant.
Mining Potential
Pakistan’s mineral wealth is valued at nearly $6 trillion. By 2030, it could generate $8–10 billion in annual revenue. Reko Diq alone is projected to produce 200,000 tons of copper annually by 2028. The project will create roughly 7,500 jobs, boosting development in Balochistan.
Seafood and IT Growth
In FY2025, Pakistan’s seafood exports hit a record $489 million, with potential to reach $600 million next year. The IT sector is growing rapidly, with $3.8 billion in exports, 20% annual growth, and over 500,000 professionals shaping the country’s digital future.
Advanced Technology and CPEC Phase Two
Under CPEC Phase Two, Pakistan is advancing in AI, quantum computing, and 5G. These sectors are expected to boost GDP by 5–7% by 2030, increase employment, and improve public welfare.
Reforms and global partnerships are turning Pakistan’s $6 trillion mineral reserves into a major economic opportunity. Simplified licensing and international engagement position Pakistan as a reliable supplier of critical minerals needed for the green energy transition.
Community Impact
Reko Diq represents a revival of Pakistan’s mining sector. It will bring billions in investment and thousands of skilled jobs. AIIB support and community training programs are helping locals benefit long-term.
Exports and Entrepreneurship
Seafood export growth reflects modern aquaculture practices and improved cold-chain logistics, supported by SIFC. IT export growth showcases the creativity and hard work of Pakistan’s young digital entrepreneurs. The Digital Nation Act 2025 is strengthening app development, startups, and global tech collaboration.
Rapid advances in AI, quantum computing, and 5G are reshaping Pakistan’s industrial and digital future. CPEC Phase Two projects, including the Quantum Valley and Urdu AI partnerships, are positioning Pakistan strongly in the global technology race.
US Approves $1.25B EXIM Financing for Reko Diq Mine Project
Earlier today, Washington has approved $1.25 billion in US Export-Import Bank financing for Pakistan’s Reko Diq copper-gold mine, Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker said Wednesday. She added the deal could unlock up to $2 billion in US equipment and services for the project.
The financing is among the largest US decisions in Pakistan’s minerals sector. It aims to bring US mining technology, drilling machinery, and operational support. Officials say it will create jobs in both countries and accelerate development of one of the world’s largest untapped copper deposits.
The $7 billion Reko Diq project is in Balochistan, Pakistan’s mineral-rich southwestern province. It is led by Canadian miner Barrick Gold in partnership with Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments. Saudi Arabia’s Manara Minerals, a joint venture of the Public Investment Fund and Ma’aden, is also seeking a 15 percent stake.
Baker said the financing would generate about 7,500 jobs in Balochistan and 6,000 in the US. She called the deal a model of US commercial diplomacy and a benefit for both nations.
Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the broader $3.5 billion financing package, anchored by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), was near completion. EXIM’s delay, he added, was due to a temporary US government shutdown.
If completed on schedule, Reko Diq could generate $2.8 billion in exports in its first year, nearly 10 percent of Pakistan’s current export volume. The mine added 13 million ounces to Barrick’s gold reserves in 2024 and is expected to produce 200,000 metric tons of copper annually in phase one, doubling after expansion. Free cash flow is projected at over $70 billion over 37 years.
Security remains a challenge. Balochistan faces attacks from separatists and militants. The project also requires a railway upgrade to transport copper concentrate to Karachi for processing abroad.
Barrick returned to Pakistan in 2022 after a long legal dispute was settled. Reko Diq has since become a flagship investment, central to Pakistan’s push to attract foreign capital to its minerals sector.
