Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced an ambitious economic target, stating that he expects the country to become the world’s sixth-largest economy by 2050. During his address at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 in Islamabad on Friday, Sharif said he was revising a previous forecast made by Goldman Sachs, which had projected that Pakistan would reach the same economic standing by 2075.
To achieve this growth, the Prime Minister encouraged international investors to shift focus from merely extracting and exporting raw minerals toward establishing processing, refining, and manufacturing operations within the country. He pledged that the government would simplify administrative procedures, reduce bureaucratic delays, and increase transparency regarding the allocation of mining licences and contracts.
Sharif highlighted the launch of the National Minerals Data Centre and the digitization of records as key steps intended to help investors evaluate resource potential before committing capital. He also urged federal and provincial authorities to coordinate more effectively to provide necessary support to businesses. “If any file gets stuck due to bureaucratic delays or cumbersome procedures, bring it straight to me. I will personally ensure that it moves at lightning speed,” the Prime Minister told the forum.
Addressing security concerns, Sharif stated that the government remains responsible for protecting workers, corporate assets, and supply routes. He also emphasized that mining operations should align with international standards and modern technology, while prioritizing the health of workers and the protection of local land and water resources.
Beyond economic metrics, the Prime Minister called for investments that support local development. He urged companies to establish vocational training centres and to ensure that mining projects generate local employment, support small businesses, and contribute to the construction of local schools and clinics.
Key facts
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif projects Pakistan as the world’s 6th-largest economy by 2050.
- The announcement was made during the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 held in Islamabad.
- The government has established a National Minerals Data Centre to assist with investor transparency.
- Sharif offered to personally intervene if bureaucratic hurdles delay project files.
- The Prime Minister called for investments to include local training facilities and infrastructure such as schools and clinics.
Source: Hindustan Times
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