Importance of Iran–Pakistan gas pipeline, rare earth minerals highlighted

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Apr, 2026) Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Coordinator Saif Ur Rehman has said, Iran–Pakistan

gas pipeline and rare earth minerals hold immense promise for Pakistan’s long-term

economic stability and growth.

Talking to exporters delegation led by Nisar Ahmad Hanif here Sunday, he said Iran–Pakistan

Gas Pipeline could significantly ease Pakistan’s chronic energy shortages by supplying

affordable natural gas to power plants and industries. This would reduce reliance on expensive

imported fuels, lower electricity costs, and enhance industrial productivity. Studies suggest the

pipeline could help bridge major electricity shortfalls and save billions of Dollars in oil imports

annually, strengthening fiscal stability and boosting GDP growth.

Beyond energy, he said, Pakistan’s untapped reserves of rare earth minerals offer a transformative

opportunity.

These minerals are essential for modern technologies such as renewable energy

systems, electronics, and defense industries. By investing in exploration, processing, and

value-added exports, Pakistan can diversify its economy, reduce import dependence,

and generate high-value exports for decades.

The delegation head, Hanif Ahmad, said that together, these two sectors can create employment,

attract foreign investment, and promote regional connectivity. The gas pipeline can position Pakistan

as an energy corridor, while mineral development can integrate the country into global supply chains.

If managed with sound policies and geopolitical balance, both initiatives can deliver sustained

economic dividends and strengthen Pakistan’s strategic economic position for generations, he added.