CSS 2023 Special Solved Pakistan Affairs Past Papers | Analysis of the Mineral Resources of Pakistan
The following question of CSS Pakistan Affairs 2023 Special is solved by Miss Iqra Ali, the best Pakistan Affairs Coach, on the guided pattern of Sir Syed Kazim Ali, which he taught to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question Breakdown
In this question, the examiner has asked you two things: first, you have to give a resume of the mineral resources of Pakistan, and second, your comment on the fact as to why the country has not been able to capitalize upon this resource base. So, first, you need to briefly introduce the leading points of what you are about to write in your answer. Then, write your answers by splitting them into parts as the question demands. Finally, end your answer with a critical analysis and conclusion. The following solved question provides a comprehensive answer covering all the main aspects. However, as far as the answer in the paper is concerned, limit yourself to 3 or 4 leading arguments against each part of the question.
Outline
1- Introduction
2- A Resume of the Mineral Resources of Pakistan
- ✓Non-Metallic Minerals
- ✓Metallic Minerals
3- Why have we not been able to Capitalize upon this Resource Base?
- ✓Lack of Investment
- ✓Technological Limitations
- ✓Political Instability
- ✓Poor Infrastructure
- ✓Regulatory and Bureaucratic Challenges
- ✓Lack of Skilled Workforce
- ✓Environmental Concerns
4- Critical Analysis
5- Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Pakistan boasts a geological landscape with a variety of precious minerals; however, the country is richer in non-metallic minerals than metallic ones. In Sindh, coal fields are among the world’s largest coal reserves (175 billion tons of lignite coal), a Sui field in Baluchistan, oil reserves in KPK and Baluchistan, Reko Diq-a Gold mine in Baluchistan has one of the largest untapped copper and gold reserves globally. In addition, rock salt, chromite, barite, fluorite, and gemstones are present in northern areas of Gilgit-Baltistan. According to the Geographical Survey of Pakistan (GSP), more than 50 major minerals, besides gemstones, have been identified in Pakistan. Nevertheless, mining is a minor sector of the economy with a weak base. However, the overall contribution of the mining sector to GDP growth is only 2.51%. The non-metallic minerals are in abundance, such as rock salt, limestone, granite, gypsum, dolomite, feldspar, flintstone, china clay, fuller’s earth, marble, soapstone, silica, and magnesite. However, non-mantellic are less than metallic ones, such as iron ore, chromite, bauxite, copper, manganese, oil, gas, and coal. The country’s failure to capitalize on these resources is a combination of factors, such as lack of investment, technological limitations, political instability, poor infrastructure, regulatory and bureaucratic challenges, lack of skilled workforce, and environmental concerns. Hence, the country needs to address these issues to unlock the full potential of these resources.
A Resume of the Mineral Resources of Pakistan
The country is richer in non-metallic minerals than metallic ones. Currently, 52 minerals are mined and processed in the state. However, there is a lack of infrastructure for their exploitation. Nevertheless, mining is a minor sector of the economy with a weak base. As discussed earlier, the overall contribution of the mining sector to GDP growth is only 2.51%.
| Mineral Presence | Status |
| Coal | Sindh Coal Fields are among the world’s largest coal reserves (175 billion tons of lignite coal) |
| Natural Gas and Petroleum | Sui field (Baluchistan) |
| Oil | KPK and Baluchistan |
| Copper and Gold | Reko Diq mine, Baluchistan, one of the largest untapped copper and gold reserves globally. |
| Iron Ore | Kalabagh (Punjab) and Chiniot (Punjab) |
| Gypsum, Limestone, and Marble | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan |
| Other | Rock salt, chromite, barite, fluorite, and gemstones in northern areas of Gilgit-Baltistan. |
- ✓Non-Metallic Minerals
The country has rich deposits of non-metallic minerals, such as rock salt, limestone, granite, gypsum, dolomite, feldspar, flintstone, china clay, fuller’s earth, marble, soapstone, silica, and magnesite. However, these minerals have been mined in sufficient quantities to meet local demand. The following map shows the location of metallic and non-metallic minerals in Pakistan.
- ✓Metallic Minerals
The metallic minerals are not present in a sufficient amount; however, the deposits include iron ore, chromite, bauxite, copper, manganese, oil, gas, and coal. However, among these, only chromite is mined regularly. According to the recent Pakistan Statistical Yearbook, the following figures show total mineral production in the country in unit metric tonnes (2010-2020).
| Minerals | Production in 2019-2020 (unit metric tonnes) |
| Iron Ore | 573695 |
| Chromite | 121435 |
| Bauxite | 101047 |
| Crude Oil | 28090543 |
| Gas | 1316636 |
| Coal | 8428237 |
Why have we not been Able to Capitalize Upon this Resource Base?
- ✓Lack of Investment
First, the quality and quantity of the minerals in the country are not significantly known because of their location in inaccessible areas where the infrastructure for their exploitation does not exist. Moreover, huge capital investment is required to develop the infrastructure. In addition, large-scale investments are essential to advance technology and hire a workforce for mining. The lack of local and foreign investment causes the country not to capitalize upon these resources. However, the fragile economy and insecurity are the reasons behind the lack of interest of investors.
- ✓Technological Limitations
Second, the country has been using outdated technology and infrastructure to exploit its mineral resources. As discussed earlier, the lack of investment and the fragile economy are the major impediments to advanced technology. However, advanced technology is necessary to extract and process minerals effectively, which requires large-scale capital.
- ✓Political Instability
Third, the province of Baluchistan is politically stable; however, from the presence of Baluch rebels to the existence of anti-state credentials, all these factors play a role in discouraging investors’ confidence. In addition, terrorism in these areas makes them highly insecure. Moreover, there is a trust deficit of investors that abstain from investing, either due to fear of fiscal loss or a threat to lives.
- ✓Poor Infrastructure
Fourth, there is a lack of safe infrastructure for the international workers in remote areas and for transporting the minerals to the market. Both problems can require huge financial capital to be solved. However, a lack of investment and depleting reserves obstruct the government from developing effective infrastructure.
- ✓Regulatory and Bureaucratic Challenges
Adding more, the local and international companies often complain about the complexity they face while operating the projects. However, the initiatives met with regulatory and Bureaucratic resistance. The reasons are unclear policy objectives, excessive red tape, and widespread corruption in bureaucratic transactions.
- ✓Lack of Skilled Workforce
Next, the country lags in developing a skilled workforce that could effectively deal with complex mining. However, there is a lack of geologists and adequately trained workers. In the faltering economy, the workers usually do not get their due shares and salaries. As a result, they prioritize working with the international companies in the workforce.
- ✓Environmental Concerns
In the same way, projects, such as the excavation of Thar coals, have faced criticism from the international community due to environmental concerns. The Tharparkar project aimed at utilizing one of the largest ignited coal reserves. However, mining and burning to exploit the coal reserves can deteriorate the air quality of the surrounding areas. It can contribute to the depletion of underground water resources because coal mining is water-intensive. Furthermore, the project can disturb the ecosystem, which may lead to biodiversity loss.
Critical Analysis
In an analysis, the country can benefit from its mineral resources by addressing the structural issues. However, it needs a systematic approach toward addressing the long-standing issues, such as lack of investment, technological limitations, week governance, political instability, poor infrastructure, regulatory and bureaucratic challenges, and lack of skilled workforce. The following steps may help to abate the hurdles to unlock the full potential of the mineral treasure of the country. For example, by establishing transparent regulatory frameworks, improving security in resource-rich regions, and investing in infrastructure development. The country may adopt a multi-pronged strategy to address the issues associated with the implementation of these steps. However, an effective strategy requires a stable economy and security conditions.
Conclusion
The geography of the country provides the possibility of acting as a supply route for energy in the region.Currently, 52 minerals are mined and processed in the state. It is rich in mineral resources; however, Sindh contains one of the largest coal reserves, and Baluchistan has one of the world’s largest copper reserves. However, the country remained unable to untapped the full potential of these resources due to lack of investment, technological limitations, political instability, poor infrastructure, regulatory and bureaucratic challenges, lack of skilled workforce, and environmental concerns. Hence, a pragmatic policy is required to deal with these issues. As a result, it can contribute to lowering the over-dependence on large-scale imports to meet the demands.
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