PAKISTAN stands on the brink of an extraordinary opportunity that could revolutionize our economy and establish the country as a global leader in clean energy technology.

The key lies not in oil or gas, but in something far more abundant – salt. Our nation possesses the world’s second-largest salt reserves and these deposits hold the secret to a multi-billion-dollar industry that could create thousands of jobs and transform Pakistan’s economic future. Sodium-ion batteries, often called “salt batteries,” work similarly to lithium-ion batteries in our phones and laptops, but use sodium instead of expensive lithium. Sodium is the same element found in common table salt, making these batteries far cheaper and more sustainable to produce.

The technology is revolutionary. During charging, sodium ions move from one electrode to another through a liquid medium, storing energy. When we need power, the process reverses, releasing electricity. What makes this exciting for Pakistan is that sodium is approximately 1,000 times more abundant than lithium on Earth. Pakistan’s salt wealth is remarkable. The famous Khewra Salt Mine, located just 160 kilometres from Islamabad, contains an estimated 220 to 600 million tons of salt reserves. This single mine produces about 400,000 tons of salt annually and could continue operating for over 1000 years.

Pakistan currently exports raw salt at $50-200 per ton, but processing it into battery materials could increase its value to $1,000-3,000 per ton. This shift could generate billions in additional revenue, especially with our globally recognized pink Himalayan salt. The........

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