The United Kingdom on Tuesday offered up to $400 million to support capacity building of the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP), as both countries moved to deepen cooperation in the minerals, oil and gas sectors.

The offer was conveyed by British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott during a meeting with Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik in Islamabad, according to an official press release.

Marriott said Pakistan holds enormous investment potential and noted that significant economic reforms were underway. She expressed the UK’s strong interest in expanding collaboration across the energy and minerals sectors.

The two sides discussed enhanced cooperation in oil and gas exploration as well as minerals development.

They reviewed progress in joint work between the British Geological Survey and the Geological Survey of Pakistan, which is expected to form the basis of a comprehensive capacity-building programme. The British side indicated support of up to $400 million for the initiative.

Ali Pervaiz Malik said the programme, once finalised, would play a key role in developing Pakistan’s minerals sector. He stressed that transparent and credible processes were essential to build investor confidence and said the government was taking concrete steps to strengthen institutional capacity across the energy sector.

The minister also highlighted the need for a strong and effective regulator, noting that the UK could support restructuring and capacity building of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).

He proposed a comprehensive diagnostic exercise, including the introduction of modern governance tools to improve institutional performance.

Marriott agreed that a robust regulator was critical to the sector’s sustainability and said such cooperation could be jointly explored.

Inviting greater British participation, the minister encouraged UK companies to invest in Pakistan, particularly in offshore oil and gas exploration. Marriott acknowledged Britain’s strong capabilities in offshore exploration and said collaboration in this area held significant potential.

Ali Pervaiz Malik noted that Pakistan’s recent offshore bidding round was well received, with participation from Turkish Petroleum, and suggested that British firms could partner with Pakistan’s state-owned enterprises to pursue joint exploration ventures.

The minister also invited the British high commissioner to attend the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF) scheduled for April 8-9.

Marriott recalled that last year’s forum was impressive and said the UK would reach out to British companies, especially service providers, to ensure strong participation this year.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepen Pakistan-UK cooperation in energy and minerals, with a focus on sustainable development, investment promotion and institutional strengthening.