Faiza Tehseen

The mineral sector of Pakistan generates revenue but it is far less than the true potential. One of the main causes is the lack of interprovincial coordination. By overcoming this shortcoming, the mining sector will contribute handsomely to the state coffers. To promote the mineral sector, interprovincial coordination among the departments concerning the mining activities is necessary. Through it, the diverse mineral sources occurring in different provinces can be utilized more productively and sustainably. This will not only make the mineral sector more efficient, but the joint efforts will also lead to better planning and development strategies, said Abdul Bashir, Chief Geologist at the Balochistan-based "Koh-e-Daleel Minerals Company (Pvt) Ltd", while talking to WealthPK. He said despite a wealth of potential mineral sources, the mineral departments mostly could not mine them due to fewer resources and limited budgets. Explaining further, he said to accomplish a mining operation, experts, mining equipment, proper infrastructure, seamless power supply, transportation, processing facilities, and life-supporting essentials were a few of the requirements. With combined interprovincial efforts, the expenditure could be reduced, and mutual coordination could bring far better outputs.

International investors also feel confident about investing in well-coordinated regulatory systems; therefore, all the provincial departments should establish a joint facility under one roof to showcase their mineral resources, business guidelines, banking, international trade, and other necessary documentation. These steps will help increase the capital inflow in this sector. In this way, marketing, supply chains, and value-added techniques could be made more efficient and more business could be generated at both local and international levels. To reduce the environmental impacts due to mining, combined policies are also an important aspect. "Mining experts in different provinces keep unique experiences and technical expertise. Sharing expertise and knowledge fosters policy consistency, and innovation at departmental, industrial, and global trade levels. In the same way, combined training sessions for the mining experts can be arranged by hiring international experts. Discussing another important aspect, he shared that the provinces must agree to the policy of "Pakistani mining product" rather than tagging it as a provincial one. It is our internal administration from where we mine, but the international client only gets it as a Pakistani product. Awareness about this aspect is also necessary at the national level," said Bashir. Pakistan is generously gifted with precious, and semi-precious minerals, metals, and gemstones. If they are properly mined, dressed, processed, and value-added, they can bring more than expected socio-economic benefits.

If managed properly and planned wisely, only a section of Reko-Diq is enough to support the economy of the whole country. But to achieve this goal, an interprovincial policy framework work is necessary. In this concern, regular but honest performance assessments of officials must be ensured. If they meet their targets benefiting the country, they must be rewarded. If they don't, then they must be put to grass. The main reason for taking such harsh steps is that foreign companies are investing in Pakistan, hiring experts, performing surveys, digging out mineral wealth, and benefiting their nations. The Pakistani experts are on an equal footing in knowledge and technical know-how, but strict accountability is important. In order to improve the mining sector, it is also important to stop the interference of non-concerned departments. In this regard, Afghanistan can be quoted as an example where the mineral sector is progressing solely due to the working of departments concerned. Concluding the discussion, the chief geologist of Koh-e-Daleel Minerals Company said it was time for a unified approach toward the mining sector to make this sector more sustainable and profit-oriented.

Credit: INP-WealthPk