A remarkable gold reserve discovery, valued at Rs800 billion, has been announced by Ibrahim Hassan Murad, the former Punjab Minister for Mines and Minerals. The Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) has confirmed the presence of 2.8 million tolas of gold spread over a 32-kilometer area in Attock.
Murad shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), calling it a “groundbreaking” moment and emphasizing the enormous potential of Punjab’s natural resources. The GSP’s research, including 127 samples from across the region, corroborated the findings.
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“This marks a key step in unlocking Pakistan’s mineral wealth,” Murad stated, expressing hope that this discovery would revitalize the economy and create new opportunities for future generations. However, while the gold’s approximate value in international markets is $287 million, this estimate has yet to be independently verified.
Confirming the discovery, current Punjab Minister for Mines and Minerals, Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani, explained that the findings were the result of a thorough study by the GSP, with fieldwork conducted throughout the past year. The government plans to hire Nespak and other firms to further assess the reserves’ true value, which Gorchani estimates to be Rs600-700 billion.
To protect the gold reserves, the provincial government has enforced Section 144 in the area to prevent illegal mining and theft. Locals have been known to collect gold particles, especially during winter when water levels in the Indus River drop.
Gorchani also mentioned that an auction for the gold reserves is scheduled to take place within a month. The auction rules have already been drafted, and a committee led by the Attock deputy commissioner will oversee the process, with the rules set to be approved by the Punjab cabinet in an upcoming meeting.
