The Pak–China Mineral Cooperation Forum was held in Islamabad on Sunday, bringing together more than 70 Chinese companies, more than 100 Pakistani companies and over 800 participants to deepen cooperation in Pakistan's mineral sector.

Organised by the China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan, the forum took place at the Jinnah Convention Centre and covered the full mineral value chain, from exploration and mining to processing, logistics, financing and capacity building.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal attended as chief guest, alongside Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Board of Investment Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh. Senior officials, diplomats and business leaders from both countries also took part.

E-mining platform and new agreements

The main outcome was the launch of the Pak–China E-Mining Platform, a digital initiative designed to improve information sharing, project links and cooperation between Pakistani authorities and Chinese companies. It is expected to make mineral development more transparent and efficient.

Several memorandums of understanding were also signed. Wah Nobel and JW Corporation each signed a framework with MCCT International on digital cross-border industrial trade, while the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation, POWERCHINA International and Pak China Investment Company agreed to work together on investment, technical cooperation and joint development.

A new pillar of cooperation

Mr Iqbal said the partnership was especially significant as Pakistan and China mark 75 years of diplomatic relations, and pointed to cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. He invited Chinese companies to the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 and promised policy stability, simpler approvals and closer federal-provincial coordination.

Ambassador Jiang reaffirmed China's interest in investing in Pakistan's mining sector and supporting training and technology, noting that the Saindak copper-gold project alone has trained more than 5,200 local employees. The forum closed with business matchmaking sessions and a project exhibition.