The Punjab government has announced the discovery of gold reserves worth Rs800 billion in the province.

 

Punjab’s Minister for Mines and Minerals, Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani, stated that approximately 2.8 million tolas of gold reserves were found during a geological survey in Attock.

 

The Geological Survey of Pakistan reported the discovery of these gold reserves, and the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) confirmed it through corroboration.

 

Elaborating on the location of the gold reserves, the minister explained that they are located at the confluence of the Kabul and Indus Rivers, spanning a 32-kilometer-wide area in Attock.

 

The provincial minister further revealed that a high-level committee has been formed to auction the project next month. However, this will only be possible after approval from the provincial cabinet, with the plan set to be presented at the next cabinet meeting. He added that the ministry aims to attract bidders through an international advertisement campaign.

 

While speaking to a private news outlet, the provincial minister mentioned that NESPAK and other firms will be hired for further verification of the reserves’ value.

 

The auction committee is expected to be chaired by the Attock deputy commissioner.

 

Addressing incidents of illegal gold extraction in the area, the minister revealed that the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 to prevent theft. He assured that the situation is now under control, with no recent reports of unauthorized activities in the region.

 

Gorchani also stated that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif will be briefed about this major breakthrough in the coming days.

 

Former Minister for Mines and Minerals Ibrahim Hassan Murad also posted about the discovery on X (formerly Twitter). "This revelation, validated by the Geological Survey of Pakistan, highlights the immense potential of Punjab's natural resources," Murad wrote while adding that the Geological Survey Pakistan had conducted sampling from 127 sites in the area.

 

Murad remarked enthusiastically, “This milestone marks a significant step towards unlocking Pakistan's mineral wealth, setting the stage for economic revitalisation and new opportunities for future generations.”