ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday inaugurated the upgraded Geoscience Advanced Research Laboratories (GARL) of the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) in Chak Shehzad, marking a major step forward in strengthening Pakistan’s mineral research and exploration capacity.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the inauguration ceremony was attended by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, and foreign dignitaries.
Speaking at the event, the prime minister said the modernization of the facility would help unlock Pakistan’s rich mineral potential through advanced research and global cooperation. He added that the government was committed to providing modern technology and equipment to national institutions for sustainable and globally competitive growth in the mineral sector.
Established in 1991, the GARL complex has now been fully upgraded to meet international standards and has received ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. This certification confirms its technical capability to conduct testing and calibration as per global benchmarks.
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With the latest upgrade, the laboratories will now produce analytical data following international reporting standards such as JORC and NI 43-101. This will allow mining companies to make accurate reserve assessments and attract foreign investment.
Officials from the Geological Survey of Pakistan said the accreditation would boost investor confidence by ensuring reliable and verifiable data for international mining companies and financial institutions working on large-scale projects.
After more than three decades of service, the modernized GARL complex is now set to function as a state-of-the-art center for mineral research, exploration, and development—reflecting Pakistan’s renewed focus on using its natural resources for national growth.
