Pakistan entered the Iron Age in the year 1973 when work commenced on the construction of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM). Bhutto was in a hurry as we were already behind in producing the basic building blocks of development.

Located at Port Qasim it was the largest industrial complex of the country. It reached peak production of 3 MTPY (Million Tons Per Year) before the production was stopped in June 2015. It was a short entry and exit out of the vital and much needed Iron Age.

Today Pakistan is importing 6 to 7 MTPY of steel. Originally, the Blast Furnace was designed on imported Iron Ore and Coal which were to be replaced by indigenous resources which never happened. The deposits at Kalabagh, Chinoit, Chichalli, Naokundi remain un-utilised till today.

In the recently held Minerals Forum (April 8, 9) at Islamabad, the message was loud and clear: Pakistan is now entering the copper age.

While the concentrates of copper, gold, silver from Saindak are being shifted to China for refining, Reko Diq will start production in the year 2028. It will be one of the largest copper mines of the world. Local production will be limited to producing concentrate which will then be shipped abroad for refining from Port Qasim, the same location where stands the monument of our iron age.

In 1973, the berths were used for import of raw materials for local steel production, while in 2028 our valuable minerals will be........

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