Islamabad, April 16, 2026: A new partnership between the United Kingdom and Pakistan is set to enhance the country’s geological capabilities, enabling the generation of credible data and unlocking growth in the mining and minerals sector.
The initiative is being delivered through the UK-funded REMIT Programme in collaboration with International Geoscience Services (IGS), a British consultancy with extensive experience in supporting geological survey organisations worldwide.
Running from April to July 2026, the programme aims to strengthen the technical capacity of the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) through hands-on training aligned with international standards. The initiative will support GSP in key areas including digital geological surveying, geochemical sampling, airborne geophysics, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
The programme also establishes a comprehensive end-to-end digital survey process—from fieldwork and laboratory analysis to GIS interpretation and final geological mapping—enhancing data reliability and institutional capability.
Speaking on the occasion, Jane Marriott, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, highlighted the significance of the collaboration.
“Pakistan has extraordinary geological potential, but realising it depends on trustworthy data collated through modern methods,” she said. “Through this partnership, the UK is supporting Pakistan to build the skills, systems and credibility needed to attract responsible investment and unlock long-term economic potential across the country.”
Welcoming the initiative, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Federal Minister for Petroleum, expressed gratitude to the British High Commission for its support.
“At a time of global uncertainty, strengthening the Geological Survey of Pakistan is vital to reducing reliance on hydrocarbons and attracting mineral investment,” he stated.
The partnership is expected to equip the GSP with the tools and expertise required to independently design and implement future national surveys in line with investor-facing global standards. It also emphasizes sustainable investment, strong institutional frameworks, and inclusive engagement with local communities.
The launch event was held at the Geoscience Advanced Research Laboratories in Islamabad and attended by senior representatives from the Government of Pakistan. Notable participants included the Federal Minister for Energy, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Director General of the Geological Survey of Pakistan, Adnan Alam Awan, and other senior officials.
