Reports of a gold discovery worth an estimated Rs800 billion in Attock, Punjab, have sparked widespread excitement on social media.

However, Pakistan’s federal government and the Foreign Office have yet to confirm the news.

The claims stem from a tweet by Ibrahim Hassan Murad, a former Punjab provincial Minister for Mines and Minerals, who announced the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) had confirmed the discovery of 2.8 million tolas of gold spanning a 32-kilometer area.

"This revelation underscores the immense potential of Punjab’s mineral wealth, which could play a pivotal role in the region’s economic growth," Murad stated.

He termed the discovery as a milestone that could open new opportunities for future generations.

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The current provincial Minister for Mines and Minerals, Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani, corroborated the claim, affirming the presence of the gold reserves.

Speaking to Urdu daily Jang, Gorchani said the provincial government had been collaborating with the GSP to study the deposits since last year.

To determine the reserves' full value, Gorchani disclosed plans to involve firms like Nespak for additional evaluations. Based on global gold prices, he estimated the reserves’ market value at Rs600-800 billion.

Securing the Area and Next Steps

To protect the valuable resource, the provincial government has increased security around the mining sites. Gorchani also revealed that an international auction for the gold deposits is scheduled for the coming month.

The discovery, if verified, could significantly boost Pakistan's mining sector, offering transformative economic benefits, job creation, and the development of new industries.

With input from Gulf News