Over 2.8 million tolas of gold found in Attock, with massive economic implications for Punjab
A monumental discovery in Attock has stunned both the local and international communities. A vast deposit of gold, valued at an astounding Rs800 billion, has been uncovered in the region, with experts now scrambling to understand the full scope of its potential.
The gold, which totals a remarkable 2.8 million tolas, is spread over a 32-kilometre stretch of land in Attock, Punjab. This unprecedented find has been confirmed by extensive research conducted by the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP). Ibrahim Hassan Murad, the former Punjab minister for Mines and Minerals, shared the breakthrough discovery in a post, highlighting its vast potential to transform the region’s economy.
The Geological Survey of Pakistan took crucial steps to validate the find, conducting extensive sampling across 127 sites in Attock. The results are nothing short of groundbreaking. According to Murad, the discovery represents a massive leap forward for Pakistan’s mineral wealth, which could potentially drive the country’s economy into a new era. The GSP’s findings have confirmed the gold deposit’s authenticity, marking a new chapter in the nation’s resource exploration.
Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani, the current provincial Minister of Mines and Minerals, also confirmed the staggering discovery, noting that the gold is now being carefully studied. As part of ongoing efforts, the government has been working with companies like Nespak to better understand the global market value of the gold reserves, which is projected to be anywhere between Rs600-700 billion. With such a massive figure, the gold reserves hold the promise of drastically altering the financial landscape of the region, providing new opportunities for future generations.
To prevent any unauthorised mining, the provincial government has enacted Section 144, effectively prohibiting the extraction of the gold by unauthorised individuals. Security is being increased around the area, as the discovery has already prompted both excitement and concern among locals, with some eager to stake their claim.
In a move that’s expected to generate international interest, the gold will be auctioned off within the next month. The government has already begun drafting the rules for the auction, and an auction committee has been set up under the leadership of the Attock deputy commissioner. This will allow global bidders to compete for the valuable resource, with the auction expected to attract widespread attention from around the world.
The government is set to formalise these rules in an upcoming cabinet meeting, with the aim of finalising the auction process soon. The gold will be auctioned in stages, beginning with the release of key details to potential international buyers. The prospect of this auction has sparked an international frenzy, with many businesses and mining giants eager to tap into the wealth hidden beneath Attock.
This discovery couldn’t have come at a better time, as Pakistan is looking for ways to revitalise its economy amidst global challenges. If the auction proceeds successfully, this gold could have a transformative effect on Pakistan’s financial position, providing the government with the necessary resources to address national issues such as poverty, infrastructure, and economic development.
The magnitude of this find has not gone unnoticed, as it has already begun to draw comparisons to other gold-rich regions around the world. As the gold is prepared for auction, the world will be watching closely, as this deposit has the potential to change the economic trajectory of Pakistan forever.
