Pakistan and the New Global Race for Rare Earth Minerals

Rare earth minerals (REMs) have become central to global economic and strategic competition. Once confined to specialist scientific and industrial circles, these minerals now underpin technologies ranging from electric vehicles and renewable energy systems to advanced electronics, aerospace platforms and modern defense capabilities. As demand accelerates, access to secure and diversified supplies has emerged as a critical concern for major economies. Global rare earth supply chains have long been dominated by China, whose control over mining and, more importantly, processing capacity has created structural vulnerabilities for other states. In response, the United States (US) and its partners are actively seeking to diversify sources and reduce strategic dependence. This shifting landscape has renewed attention on countries with underexplored mineral potential. Pakistan, traditionally viewed through a geostrategic prism, is increasingly being assessed through a geoeconomic lens shaped by its mineral endowment and possible role in future global supply chains.