KP Governor Invites Partnerships For Provincial Mineral Extraction

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has welcomed domestic and international firms to form joint ventures for mining local mineral resources.

NationPulse Desk

Oct 18, 2026 · 1:04 PM 2 min read

Key takeaways

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi invited foreign and Pakistani companies to form joint ventures for mineral extraction.

President Asif Ali Zardari authorized Governor's Rule in KP on October 11 on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

An Auditor General of Pakistan report previously flagged Rs. 16.94 billion in irregularities in KP's Minerals Department.

Pakistan has 92 known minerals, and its mineral reserves are estimated at $8 trillion.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi urged international and domestic businesses on Saturday to establish partnerships for mining the region's mineral wealth, following the federal government's recent implementation of Governor's Rule in the area.

“Minerals are meant to be extracted,” Kundi stated during a media briefing. “We invite all foreign and local companies to come to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and form joint ventures with us.”

The governor addressed journalists in Peshawar on Saturday following his appearance as chief guest at the 59th convocation of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan.

Joint Ventures and Jobs

Kundi noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa holds abundant mineral deposits and intends to mine and market them.

He supported collaborating with global corporations, questioning who could object to international enterprises partnering with Pakistani businesses and local residents if such arrangements create employment and financial backing.

Additionally, the governor urged the recovery of local petroleum and natural gas deposits, noting that financial growth and educational access reduce local susceptibility to extremist ideologies.

Kundi added that maintaining security and public order is the primary focus of the emergency council, announcing plans for substantial funding into law enforcement and the transformation of 10 to 12 terrorism-impacted districts into peace and security models.

Province Under Governor's Rule

President Asif Ali Zardari approved Governor's Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 11 pursuant to Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, acting on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recommendation. Kundi currently leads an 11-member advisory council managing key provincial departments, with Dr. Sarfaraz Ali Shah assigned to the mines and minerals portfolio.

Kundi additionally challenged Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman for his opposition to the administration, stating the government was established without his backing and will proceed with its operations.

Problems in the Minerals Sector

The governor's initiative follows an Auditor General of Pakistan audit released days prior that identified Rs. 16.94 billion in financial discrepancies within the provincial Minerals Department, with unauthorized extraction responsible for Rs. 8 billion in damages alone.

Pakistan possesses 92 identified minerals, with 52 currently mined on a commercial scale. National mineral deposits are valued at $8 trillion, though the industry accounts for under 3 percent of the country's GDP.

Questions and answers

Who authorized Governor's Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?

President Asif Ali Zardari authorized Governor's Rule in KP on October 11 under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

How much were the irregularities found in the KP Minerals Department?

An Auditor General of Pakistan report flagged Rs. 16.94 billion in irregularities in KP's Minerals Department, with illegal mining accounting for Rs. 8 billion in losses.