Gold reserves valued at $636 billion have been discovered at Tarbela, according to Hanif Gohar, Chairman of Air Karachi and former senior vice president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).
Gohar revealed the news during a press briefing at the Karachi Press Club on Monday, emphasizing the potential of the reserves to significantly impact Pakistan’s economy.
He noted that the discovered gold could be sufficient to fully pay off the country’s foreign debt, and the matter has already been brought to the attention of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
Gohar further stated that contacts had been established with Australian and Canadian drilling companies to facilitate the exploration of the Tarbela gold reserves. “As soon as we receive directives from the prime minister, the process of extracting gold from Tarbela’s soil will begin,” he added.
He highlighted the importance of careful planning and international collaboration to ensure that the extraction process is efficient, environmentally sustainable, and economically beneficial for Pakistan.
In addition to the gold discovery, Gohar shared updates about Air Karachi. He announced that the airline’s domestic operations are set to commence on March 23, 2026, with an initial fleet of three to five Airbus aircraft. International flights are planned to begin a year after successful domestic operations, further expanding the country’s aviation sector.
Gohar also mentioned that Hyderabad is witnessing the construction of its first four-star hotel on a five-acre site, highlighting ongoing development in the region. He stressed that addressing Pakistan’s budget deficit requires a focus on sectors like construction, noting that despite systemic challenges, work continues in Karachi.
The revelation of such substantial gold reserves at Tarbela has sparked optimism about Pakistan’s economic future, with potential to generate significant revenue, reduce debt, and create new investment opportunities across multiple sectors.
