Pakistan’s mineral wealth, a new path to economic revolution? (Part1)

Punjab has salt, iron ore, gypsum, limestone, granite and other mineral resources

     Pakistan’s economy has been facing challenges of debt, trade deficit, limited exports and external financial assistance for a long time. Sometimes we knock on the door of the IMF, sometimes we hope for financial assistance from friendly countries and sometimes we call foreign investment as a source of salvation, but one fundamental question has always been ignored: have we tried to fully explore and benefit from the natural resources of our country?

     The fact is that the land of Pakistan is rich in natural mineral wealth. Which, if used wisely, can change the economic destiny of Pakistan. In this context, the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026, held in Islamabad on November 12 and 13, proved to be a significant development.

     Representatives of more than sixty countries, global investors, mineral experts and large international companies participated in this international conference. Thirteen agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed during the conference. On this occasion, the Government of Pakistan invited global investors to invest in the country’s mineral resources and described the mineral sector as an important source of development for the national economy.

     Balochistan province is of exceptional importance in terms of gold, copper, iron ore, chromite, coal and other valuable minerals. The Reko Diq project in Chagai district is considered one of the world’s leading copper and gold projects.

    This project is of importance not only to Balochistan or Pakistan but also to the global mineral industry. At a recent conference, the Frontier Works Organization estimated the potential presence of about 350 million tons of copper in the Dasht-e-Kin area of ​​Chagai. This estimate is based on about half of the drilling data analyzed so far, so it should be considered an important preliminary geological prospect rather than a definitive proven reserve.

    National Resources Limited also announced its discoveries of copper and gold mineral deposits in Chagai and its commitment to invest about $100 million. These announcements are certainly encouraging, but we must also understand that there is a long way to go between the presence of mineral resources and their commercial production.

    This requires modern technology, huge capital, infrastructure, skilled manpower and consistent policies.

     Pakistan’s mineral wealth is not limited to Balochistan. Other provinces and regions of Pakistan are also rich in natural resources. Thar coal deposits in Sindh can play an important role in meeting Pakistan’s energy needs.

    Punjab has salt, iron, gypsum, limestone, granite and other mineral resources. Large iron deposits have also been identified in Chiniot. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has significant potential for chromite, marble, precious stones and other minerals.

    Ruby, topaz, tourmaline and other precious stones are found in the mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. In addition, the importance of copper, lithium, antimony and other important minerals is increasing due to the rapidly growing industrial needs in the world.

    The need for these minerals is constantly increasing in the electronic vehicles, batteries, solar energy, advanced electronics and defense technology industries. This is the global economic transformation that can create an extraordinary opportunity for Pakistan. ........Continued

No political discussion after meeting Imran Khan, Islamabad High Court

 

Both lawyers are highly professional, hope they will discuss only legal aspects

A two-page order was issued by a bench comprising Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif

      ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court, while issuing an important order regarding the meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan, expected the lawyers to avoid discussing political matters and limit themselves to legal matters. The Islamabad High Court has issued important instructions regarding the meeting of lawyers with Imran Khan during the hearing of the appeals of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in the 190 million pound case. 

        A bench comprising Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif issued a two-page order, in which it has been said that the court expects Salman Safdar and Latif Khosa not to discuss political matters after their meeting in jail and to limit themselves to legal matters only. The court ruled that both lawyers are highly professional. They are pregnant and are expected to avoid discussing political matters during and after the meeting. According to the order, the Advocate General will arrange a meeting of the lawyers with Imran Khan, the duration of which will not be less than one hour. During the hearing, Latif Khosa took the position that due to the lack of a meeting, he could not present arguments, while Salman Safdar said that he had received instructions to present arguments on the appeal, but the duration of the meeting was short. On the request of the lawyer, the court gave one week's time to prepare the arguments. 

    The Islamabad High Court also directed the concerned office to prepare the paper boxes of the appeals in the 190 million pound case within seven days. The Islamabad High Court has fixed the appeals against the conviction of PTI founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in the 190 million pound case. Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif will hear the appeals on November 18. The Islamabad High Court has invited arguments from lawyers on appeals against the sentence.

Islamabad High Court

Barrister Salman Safdar, Sardar Latif Khosa held a 3-hour long meeting with Imran Khan in Adiala Jail, consulted on cases, legal matters.

   Bushra Bibi was present in the meeting with the PTI founder. The lawyers discussed the cases, complications and legal aspects under the hearing of Bushra Bibi. 

   Imran Khan's blood pressure is alarmingly high, he is also facing eye problems. The founder of PTI seemed determined and ready. The details of the meeting will be revealed today. Sardar Latif Khosa

 Imran Khan underwent a medical examination at PIMS last night. Anti-VEGF injection was given in his eye. His physical health was declared satisfactory and stable. PIMS Hospital announced that Imran Khan should be shifted to Shifa Hospital. PTI

      Rawalpindi: His lawyers Barrister Salman Safdar and Sardar Latif Khosa met the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf imprisoned in Adiala Jail. According to sources, the meeting of both lawyers with the founder of PTI lasted for more than two hours. The meeting continued for more than two hours. During this time, detailed consultations were held regarding various pending cases against the founder of PTI, legal complications and various petitions filed in the courts. Bushra Bibi was also present during the meeting. The lawyers also discussed the pending cases against Bushra Bibi, her legal matters and other important legal aspects with the founder of PTI. During the meeting, legal strategy in various cases, pending petitions and issues related to future court proceedings came under consideration. At the end of the meeting, which lasted for more than two hours in the conference room of Adiala Jail, both the lawyers left the jail.

    After meeting the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, senior lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa while talking to the media said that there was a three to four hour long meeting with the founder of PTI, in which Bushra Bibi was also present. During the meeting, the health of the PTI founder, pending cases and other important matters were discussed in detail. He said that the blood pressure of the PTI founder is at a dangerous level while he is also facing eye problems, however, he said that the PTI founder was strong-willed and seemed ready. The meeting with the PTI founder was very fruitful and all important matters were discussed in detail. The full details of the meeting will be revealed in writing today, after which all matters will be revealed to the public. On the question related to the 28th Constitutional Amendment, Sardar Latif Khosa confirmed that this issue has also been discussed with the PTI founder, however, if the meeting continues for a long time, there is no problem in it.

    Earlier, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan underwent a medical examination at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital late last night. A statement issued by the PIMS Hospital administration said that on the night of November 10 and 11, the founder of PTI was transferred from Adiala Jail to PIMS Hospital, Islamabad for a medical examination. Imran Khan underwent a medical examination and eye follow-up treatment, where his medical indicators were found to be normal, while the general physical condition of the founder of PTI has also been declared satisfactory and stable. On the instructions of an ophthalmologist, the founder of PTI was injected with anti-VEGF in the eye. The injection process was completed by the ophthalmology department team. He was discharged from PIMS Hospital at around 2:30 am, and necessary medical instructions were also given for further treatment and follow-up. After the medical examination, the founder of PTI Imran Khan was transferred back to jail.

     On the other hand, Chairman PTI Barrister Gohar Ali Khan reiterated the demand to shift Imran Khan to Shifa Hospital for health and treatment and said that it has been learned through medical reports that the founder of PTI was shifted to PIMS Hospital last night. Barrister Gohar once again demanded immediate implementation of the Supreme Court’s August 18 order, saying that the court had directed to shift the founder of PTI to Shifa Hospital for medical examination and treatment. A medical board should be formed for the treatment of the founder of PTI, which should include his personal physician and a family member. There is concern about the health of founding chairman Imran Khan and the medical facilities provided to him. The health of a person cannot be made a means of political bargaining, nor can the medical treatment of a former prime minister be reduced to a mere formality. According to PTI, the state is fully responsible for the security and health of Imran Khan.

Kohat: Attack on police party, 11 personnel including DSP martyred, 18 Khawarij killed

Personnel were returning after an operation against illegal gold mining, Khawarij opened fire

Criminal elements, Fitna-ul-Khawarij nexus proven, KP police, injured shifted to hospital

      Kohat (JTN News) After an operation against illegal gold mining on the Indus River in the southern district of Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, 10 police personnel including a DSP were martyred in an attack by Khawarij, while 18 terrorists were killed and several were injured. Emergency was imposed at DHQ Teaching Hospital after the incident. According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police and local civil administration conducted an operation against elements involved in illegal gold mining in Drabu Kutch near Kohat. After completing the operation, on their return, Fitna-ul-Khawarij attacked the police party at the behest of criminal elements. The police personnel fought the attackers with great bravery and courage, as a result of which 18 Khawarij were killed. During this, 10 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police personnel, including a DSP, were martyred while fighting bravely.

     According to the police, the mutual nexus between criminal elements and Fitna-ul-Kharij at the behest of external forces and the joint attack on the police party is clear evidence that the criminal mafia and Fitna-ul-Kharij have systematic links. The KP police statement said that this incident once again proves that Fitna-ul-Kharij has no connection with Islam and Pakistan, these elements are working together with the criminal mafia for their nefarious purposes. The police statement said that all possible action will be taken against criminal elements and Fitna-ul-Kharij working with external support, the facilitators of Khawarij and the criminal mafia will not be spared under any circumstances and no illegal activity will be allowed.

Sensational new information has come to light in the Hina Javed murder case

Differences in the information received from the home of domestic worker Zeeshan Arshad, Mian Gonal Mandi Bahauddin, no case or complaint has been registered

The police investigation team has declared Zeeshan Arshad a person with criminal tendencies, has issued statements of involvement in illegal, unnatural activities

The information revealed by teachers, friends and former employers has raised many questions about the past, character and police attitude of the accused

     Rawalpindi: There has been a difference in the information received from the police investigation and the home of domestic worker Zeeshan Arshad, who has been declared the main accused in the Hina Javed murder case.

   The police investigation team has declared Zeeshan Arshad as a person with criminal tendencies, and has issued statements about his involvement in illegal, unnatural activities, however, when a private TV channel checked the records of the Miana Gondal police station, no previous case or complaint was found against the accused. The private news channel team reached Zeeshan Arshad’s native area and reviewed the local police records and spoke to his teachers, friends and former employers. The information that came to light during this time has raised many questions about the accused’s past, character and the police’s stance.

No criminal background found in local police records

     According to the investigation of the private news channel, there was no previous case or complaint against Zeeshan Arshad in the records available at the Miana Gondal police station, the local police also did not confirm the existence of any previous criminal record or complaint against him.

Was there an investigation in the accused’s native area?

    In the investigation of the private news channel team, the Miana Gondal police station was initially unaware of the Hina Javed murder case, but later referred to the news of the case through the media. The local police say that the investigation team of the Hina Javed murder case has not contacted them till date. There is no information about recording the statement of any person at the local level. The question is whether an investigation was conducted in the accused’s native area to check his past and character. What was the scope of the investigation and to what extent local information was included.

Opinion of teachers, friends and former owners

        The private news channel also spoke to Zeeshan Arshad’s teachers, friends, local councilors and former owners. These people expressed their observations about the character and past of the accused. Qari Mushtaq, the teacher of the madrasa where the accused studied for two to two and a half years, said that he rejects the impression that the accused was involved in any immoral or unnatural act, he does not think Zeeshan Arshad could commit such a big crime. The accused’s friend Anas, who runs a shop in the local market, said that he has been friends with the accused Zeeshan Arshad for five years. The accused’s friend said that there have been minor fights. Anas said that the police’s statement is not true. Zeeshan has been sending pictures or videos to his friends. 

       He has never sent us any pictures or videos. Zeeshan’s former owner Muhammad Rafiq Bhatti, who is retired from the Air Force and now runs a travel agency, said that the accused’s family has a religious background. His grandfather was the Imam of our village. The accused has been working with him for a long time. He cannot confirm that the accused was involved in any illegal activity. He also strongly rejected the police’s position that the accused was involved in any unnatural or immoral activity. Muhammad Rafiq Bhatti said that the accused's childhood has passed in front of him, no complaints have ever come to light, they are poor people who have to go somewhere for hard work, they do not know the real truth of the accident that happened in Rawalpindi, however, they confirm with reference to the accused and his family that he cannot do this work. Another former owner of accused Zeeshan Arshad, Muhammad Saleem, who runs a book shop, said that the accused has been working for him for one and a half years, he is an honest boy and his character was also good, no wrongdoing has ever come to light. 

      The person who employed accused Zeeshan Arshad in Hina Javed's house, Taswar, did not give his position on camera, however, he said that Zeeshan Arshad was employed by the deceased's brother-in-law Kamil Asghar after a regular investigation seven months ago. Kamil Asghar also asked for Zeeshan Arshad's domicile and father's identity card. After reassuring him, Zeeshan Arshad went to his house for work. Haji Shahbaz, the hairdresser of accused Zeeshan Arshad's village He said that Zeeshan often came to him for a haircut, he is a good-natured boy and never quarreled. Area councilor Muhammad Mansha said that no fault was ever identified in the accused, the family is also good, if anyone complains about the accused or his family at the local level, he will take full responsibility for it.

The main question: What is the basis of the police's claim?

     In the Hina Javed murder case, the police investigation team has declared Zeeshan Arshad as the main accused in the light of his previous tendencies and forensic reports, while the private news channel did not find any previous case or complaint in the local police records available in the accused's native area. According to the police, Zeeshan Arshad himself has confessed to several crimes. The forensic reports are also against it. Both the information apparently have different aspects, but it cannot be concluded from them that the police's position is wrong or the accused is innocent. The real issue is to examine on what basis the police made the claims regarding Zeeshan Arshad's character and alleged criminal tendencies and whether this material can be independently verified. The original forensic reports of the deceased Hina Javed have not yet come to light. The police have not even submitted the challan despite the passage of almost 3 months.

Petitions against Governor’s rule, emergency excluded from cause list, PTI ready for legal battle

  Consultation with constitutional and legal experts begins, consideration continues to file review appeal against Constitutional Court’s decision

  The Federal Constitutional Court directed the Peshawar High Court not to schedule the petitions for hearing, which was implemented

      Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has decided to consult with constitutional and legal experts on the issue of exclusion from the cause list of petitions filed in the Peshawar High Court against the imposition of Governor’s rule and emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The party is reviewing the legal aspects of the Federal Constitutional Court’s decision and is also considering the possibility of filing a review appeal against it.

     On the other hand, the Peshawar High Court has removed from the cause list the petitions filed against the imposition of Governor’s Rule and Emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the detention of several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders, including ousted Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. This move was taken in light of the November 5 order of the Federal Constitutional Court, which, while giving its verdict on the petitions filed by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, had suspended the proceedings of cases filed in the Peshawar High Court under Article 199 of the Constitution on or after October 12.

    Following the order of the Federal Constitutional Court, the Peshawar High Court issued a directive that all constitutional petitions filed on or after October 12, 2026, under Article 199 of the Constitution should not be scheduled for hearing. As a result of this judicial development, the hearing of PTI’s petitions against Governor’s Rule and Emergency has also been affected. According to party sources, consultations are underway with constitutional and legal experts on this situation so that a decision can be taken regarding the future legal course of action and a possible review petition.

Review Appeal

Illegal recruitments, FIA declares Asad Mahmood a defaulter and absconder from investigation

Anti-Corruption Circle also recommends including Asad Mahmood’s name in PNIL and stop list

      Islamabad: The circle around Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) leader Asad Mahmood in illegal recruitments in Pakistan Post and other cases has started to tighten, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle has declared Asad Mahmood a willful defaulter and absconder from investigation after he did not appear despite legal summons. 

    FIA Anti-Corruption Circle also recommended including Asad Mahmood’s name in PNIL and stop list, FIA officials recommended converting the inquiry into a regular case and registering an FIR under various legal provisions. It may be recalled that the FIA ​​had summoned Asad Mahmood on November 2 to investigate illegal recruitments in Pakistan Post. Legal proceedings are underway against JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman, Asad Mahmood and other leaders in corruption and other cases.

Asad Mahmood