A new initiative supported by the United Kingdom aims to enhance Pakistan’s geological data capabilities and unlock the potential of its minerals and mining industry. This effort is part of the UK-funded REMIT programme and is implemented in collaboration with International Geoscience Services (IGS), a UK consultancy with extensive experience assisting geological survey organizations globally.
Scheduled to run from April to July 2026, the programme will focus on improving the technical skills of the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) through practical training aligned with international standards. The training will encompass digital geological surveying, geochemical sampling, airborne geophysics, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This will establish a comprehensive digital survey workflow, covering fieldwork, laboratory analysis, GIS interpretation, and final geological mapping.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott highlighted Pakistan’s significant geological potential, emphasizing that realizing this depends on reliable data collected using modern techniques. She noted that the UK’s partnership supports Pakistan in developing the expertise, systems, and credibility necessary to attract responsible investment and unlock sustainable economic growth.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik expressed gratitude for the British High Commission’s support, stressing that enhancing the Geological Survey of Pakistan is crucial amid global uncertainties. He pointed out that this initiative will help reduce dependence on hydrocarbons and encourage investment in the minerals sector.
In a significant development, the collaboration is expected to equip the GSP with the tools and knowledge to independently design and execute future national surveys that meet global, investor-oriented standards.
The launch event took place at the Geoscience Advanced Research Laboratories in Islamabad, attended by senior government officials, including GSP Director General Adnan Alam Awan.
