Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has highlighted the province’s mineral resources, saying its mines and minerals sector generates around Rs40 billion in annual revenue.

She shared the figure while addressing the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PIMF) 2026, where government officials and investors discussed opportunities in Pakistan’s mining industry.

Maryam said Punjab has considerable mineral wealth that remains unexplored or underutilised. She stressed that improved exploration, modern mining methods and greater private investment could help the province increase earnings from its natural resources.

The chief minister said better management of mineral reserves could support economic growth and create opportunities for businesses and investors.

She also highlighted Pakistan’s wider mineral potential, calling for stronger efforts to develop resources and attract investment into the sector.

Pink salt was among the resources highlighted as an important opportunity for Punjab. The province has been working to increase the value of its salt products through improved processing, packaging and marketing.

In July 2026, the Punjab government launched the Pink Salt Value Addition Financing Scheme. The initiative offers interest-free loans of up to Rs50 million to businesses involved in salt processing and related activities.

The government also announced plans for a 110-acre Pink Salt Mineral Processing Zone near Quaidabad. The proposed zone is intended to support industrial development, attract investment and create employment opportunities.

Maryam’s remarks at PIMF 2026 underline the provincial government’s focus on developing minerals beyond their extraction and promoting value-added products for local and international markets.

The forum provides a platform for government representatives, investors and industry stakeholders to discuss exploration, mining technology, processing and investment opportunities across Pakistan.

Developing the sector, however, requires more than identifying mineral deposits. Infrastructure, modern technology, transparent licensing, responsible extraction and effective resource management will also be important for attracting long-term investment.

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Punjab’s mineral sector could contribute more to the provincial economy if its resources are developed through sustainable and commercially viable projects. The chief minister’s remarks placed greater exploration and investment at the centre of that effort.