ISLAMABAD: Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Minister Asad Umar on Thursday chaired a meeting to review the works of Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) and other allied matters.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Coordination of Marketing & Development of Mineral Resources Shahzad Syed Qasim and Petroleum Division Secretary Mian Asad Hayaud Din were also present on the occasion.
The PMDC managing director briefed the meeting about the operations of the corporation and presented an overview of the minerals sector, the roles and responsibilities of federal and provincial departments, the development impediments and their remedial measures.
The meeting was informed that the board and management of the organization had been revamped to make it a vibrant institution.
Asad Umar emphasised the need for coordinated efforts for accelerated exploration and development of indigenous mineral resources, especially large-scale mining, value-addition and promotion of downstream industries. He observed that a uniform policy and regulatory framework across the country would be beneficial to attract investment in the sector.
“While minerals are a provincial subject, the federal government can help and support the development of the sector by aligning its various policies towards that objective.”
The minister said that the federal government would support the federating units to improve the mineral sector’s contribution in the country’s GDP, adding that both public and private sectors should come forward for optimum exploitation of indigenous mineral resources.
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