Former Punjab minister for Mines and Minerals Ibrahim Hassan Murad has claimed the discovery of a massive gold deposit in Attock, estimating the find at 2.8 million tolas, valued at Rs800 billion.
The gold reserves, confirmed through extensive research, are spread over a 32-kilometre stretch in the region. Murad, who made the announcement on X, stated that the discovery has been validated by the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP).
“This revelation, validated by the Geological Survey of Pakistan, highlights the immense potential of Punjab’s natural resources,” Murad wrote, adding that the GSP had conducted sampling from 127 sites.
He described the discovery as a “groundbreaking” milestone for the nation’s economic future. “This milestone marks a significant step towards unlocking Pakistan’s mineral wealth, setting the stage for economic revitalisation and new opportunities for future generations,” he said.
Punjab’s current Minister of Mines and Minerals, Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani, confirmed the find, noting that the reserves are valued between Rs600-700 billion in the world market. Gorchani explained that the government has been working on the findings based on the GSP’s study, which began last year.
“We are working under the study conducted by the Geological Survey of Pakistan, and work continued last year,” he said. The government had also imposed Section 144 to prevent theft from the mines.
Gorchani added that Nespak and other firms would be hired to confirm the exact value of the reserves. “The gold discovered in Attock will be auctioned after a month, and we will advertise it internationally,” he said.
The provincial minister revealed that an auction committee, chaired by the Attock deputy commissioner, has been formed and the rules for the auction would be approved by the Punjab cabinet in a meeting next Tuesday.
