It’s not often you see a series of developments all pointing in the same direction, and for Pakistan, that direction feels steadily forward. No dramatic declarations, no overnight transformations. Just clear, consistent signals that something deeper may be shifting.
Between global mining giants making billion-dollar moves, old diplomatic partners re-engaging, and foreign investors starting to feel cautiously optimistic, there’s a lot worth paying attention to.
Barrick’s Big Move in Balochistan
Let’s start with the numbers. $70 billion — that’s the projected free cash flow from the Reko Diq copper and gold mine, which Barrick Gold is helping develop in Balochistan. It’s a massive long-term project, and Barrick is currently working on raising over $2 billion to get the first phase going, according to Reuters’ report.
The mine is expected to start producing by 2028, but what's interesting is how much global institutional interest it's attracting. Discussions are in progress with the IFC, US EXIM Bank, and others. Infrastructure plans include a new rail connection, which alone could cost up to $800 million. It’s not just about digging minerals out of the ground; it’s about laying down physical and economic pathways for the region.
A Familiar Partner Returns to the Table
In another corner of the economy, a different kind of deal is taking shape. Russia and Pakistan have agreed to build a new steel mill in Karachi. If that sounds familiar, it’s because the Soviet Union was once behind Pakistan’s original steel mills back in the 1970s.
This isn’t an isolated handshake; it’s part of a wider push to revive economic cooperation. The two countries have already been working together on energy agreements, including oil imports and the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline. The steel mill project builds on that momentum and sends a signal: long-term partnerships are back on the table.
OICCI Business Confidence Index Turns Positive
Big projects are one thing, but how do people on the ground feel? According to the latest Business Confidence Index by the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), things are looking up.
As reported by Arab News, the index rose from -5% to +11%, and notably, foreign investor sentiment jumped from +6% to +17%.
Manufacturing showed the biggest recovery, landing at +15%, and 45% of businesses surveyed expect conditions to improve in the next six months. That’s a notable shift, especially after years of pessimism.
It helps that the IMF disbursed $1 billion last month, with another $1.4 billion greenlit for climate-linked funding. The money matters, but perhaps just as important is the message: Pakistan is being taken seriously again.
What This Means for the Bigger Picture
These stories might seem unrelated at first. A mining project here, a steel mill there, a survey update on the side. But together, they tell a larger story about where Pakistan’s economy is heading. They reflect a renewed willingness to invest, not just financially, but politically and strategically.
Multinational companies are betting on long-term resource development. Government-to-government partnerships are being revived. And the private sector, though cautious, is starting to regain confidence. That kind of alignment doesn’t happen by accident, and it doesn’t happen unless the world sees real potential.
Our Role in What Comes Next
At One Homes, we’re watching these shifts closely — and more importantly, building for them. Projects like One Canal Road in Lahore, Trinity One in Islamabad, and Amaya Panoramas are designed for a new kind of investor: someone who sees what’s coming, not just what’s here.
