THE commitment of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif towards leveraging country’s natural resources for economic prosperity is indeed commendable. Chairing a crucial meeting in Lahore on Sunday, he issued some important directives concerning the RekoDiq project to unlock its potential.
The Reko Diq holds immense significance due to its substantial reserves of gold and copper, positioning it as one of the largest untapped deposits worldwide. Current estimates indicate a staggering 12.3 million tons of copper and 20.9 million ounces of gold, with potential for further discoveries, making RekoDiq a potentially transformative venture for Pakistan’s economy. It is regrettable that, similar to many other significant projects, we have missed the opportunity to capitalize on the invaluable gold and copper reserves. However, recent developments are encouraging. One of the pivotal directives issued by Prime Minister Shehbaz involves ensuring the security of workers engaged in the RekoDiq project. With recent terrorist activities targeting strategic assets and infrastructure projects, ensuring the safety of personnel is paramount. This not only fosters a conducive environment for project execution but also instils confidence in foreign investors, facilitating industrial growth in the region. Additionally, Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasized the need for robust infrastructure development, particularly the construction of a railway line connecting RekoDiq to Gwadar port. This infrastructure initiative will streamline logistics, ensuring efficient transportation of extracted minerals and maximizing their economic potential. It is imperative to ensure that the processed products, derived from gold and copper, are locally produced before export. This approach will maximize benefits for Balochistan and Pakistan as a whole, fostering economic growth and job creation. The proposed railway network holds promise for facilitating swift access to global markets and reducing transportation costs, particularly benefiting the mineral-rich district of Chaghi and propelling the mining industry’s growth. Alongside the development of the RekoDiq project, it is imperative for the government to accelerate exploration efforts in other sectors, such as oil and gas. Diversifying the country’s resource base not only will enhance economic resilience but also contribute to sustainable development and long-term prosperity.
