LAHORE: 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, 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.
