Gold Reserves Worth $636 Billion Found in Tarbela Dam

🕒 Published: November 4, 2025 by Muqaddas Tahreem

In a stunning revelation that could transform Pakistan’s economic landscape, gold reserves valued at $636 billion have reportedly been discovered in the soil of Tarbela Dam. The announcement was made by Hanif Gohar, Chairman of Air Karachi and former Senior Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), during a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Monday.

Massive Gold Discovery in Tarbela

According to Hanif Gohar, the discovery was made after a series of soil samples were collected by divers from inside Tarbela Dam. The samples were then tested in a laboratory to determine their gold content.

The results indicated a substantial amount of gold particles within the dam’s sediment. When extrapolated across the dam’s total volume, Gohar estimated the total gold value at around $636 billion — a figure that, if accurate, could completely pay off Pakistan’s national debt.

“We have shared this discovery with the Chief of Army Staff, who responded positively,” Gohar told reporters.

Proposal to WAPDA for Gold Extraction

Gohar stated that he has formally offered the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) the opportunity to take ownership of the extraction project. However, if the government is unable or unwilling to do so, his company is prepared to invest directly in the project.

He claimed his team has already begun talks with international dredging experts and partners in Holland, Amsterdam, and Canada to design a safe and efficient extraction plan.

“If the government gives us the green light, we are ready to execute this project immediately,” Gohar asserted.

Scientific Basis of the Claim

The process of extracting gold from sediment involves advanced hydraulic dredging and mineral separation techniques. Experts suggest that while gold traces are commonly found in soil and river sediments, the economic feasibility of large-scale extraction depends on concentration levels and refining costs.

If verified, this discovery at Tarbela could mark one of the largest mineral findings in Pakistan’s history, rivaling projects like Reko Diq in Balochistan.

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Economic Potential of Tarbela Gold Reserves

At an estimated market value of $636 billion, the Tarbela gold deposit could:

• Pay off Pakistan’s external debt, currently around $124 billion.
• Strengthen foreign exchange reserves, easing pressure on the rupee.
• Attract foreign investors in mining and energy sectors.
• Create thousands of jobs through extraction and refinery operations.

Such a discovery could drastically reshape Pakistan’s economic future, provided proper transparency and international collaboration ensure resource management.

Government’s Response and Next Steps

While there has been no official confirmation yet from WAPDA or the Ministry of Energy, sources within the government indicate that initial verification tests may soon be conducted to confirm Gohar’s claims.

Economic observers have urged the government to approach this announcement with scientific caution, stressing that proper geological surveys, lab verification, and feasibility studies must be undertaken before launching any extraction operation.

If confirmed, experts believe that the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) could collaborate with foreign partners to manage the project under transparent, public-private partnership (PPP) frameworks.

Air Karachi’s Expansion Plans

In addition to the gold discovery, Hanif Gohar announced that his company Air Karachi is preparing to launch domestic airline operations starting March 23, 2026.
The airline plans to start with three to five Airbus aircraft, operating flights between Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar.

After one year of successful domestic operations, international routes are expected to be introduced.

“Our mission is to bring affordability and reliability back to Pakistan’s aviation sector,” Gohar said.

Upcoming Four-Star Hotel in Hyderabad

Gohar also revealed plans to construct Hyderabad’s first four-star hotel on a five-acre site, aiming to boost the region’s tourism and hospitality sector.

The hotel project will feature modern facilities, including:

• A rooftop restaurant with city views.
• Business conference halls.
• Family entertainment zones and event spaces.

He emphasized that growth in construction and tourism is key to tackling Pakistan’s budget deficit and unemployment crisis.

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Link Between Mining, Construction, and Economic Revival

During his press briefing, Gohar highlighted that economic revival is impossible without growth in the construction sector. He argued that construction and mineral exploration go hand-in-hand in generating employment and stimulating GDP growth.

He further pointed out that Karachi’s business community is currently “operating on the back foot” due to policy uncertainty and rising operational costs.

By developing mega-projects like gold extraction, aviation expansion, and hospitality investment, Gohar believes Pakistan can rebuild investor confidence and create a self-sustaining growth cycle.

Tarbela Dam – Strategic Location and Potential

Tarbela Dam, located in Haripur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is one of the largest earth-filled dams in the world.
Originally designed for hydropower and irrigation, Tarbela’s massive sediment deposits have built up over five decades.

Geologists have long speculated that metallic minerals could exist in the dam’s sediment layers, carried by glacial meltwater from the Himalayas, which is naturally rich in gold dust and mineral deposits.

This makes the site geologically plausible for containing extractable gold content — though scientific validation remains essential.

Global Context: How Rare Are Such Discoveries?

Globally, gold deposits in river sediments have been documented in several countries including China, Russia, and Canada.
However, large-scale commercially viable extractions are rare due to high processing costs.

If the Tarbela discovery proves economically extractable, it could make Pakistan one of the few nations with gold-bearing dam sediments, potentially drawing global attention and investment.

Public Reaction and Media Coverage

The announcement has taken social media by storm, with “#TarbelaGoldDiscovery” trending across X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
Many users celebrated the potential windfall, while others questioned the authenticity of the $636 billion valuation.

Economists and journalists have called on the government to verify the claims through independent geological agencies before making public financial projections.

Potential Risks and Environmental Concerns

Experts warn that extracting minerals from dam sediments requires strict environmental management.
Uncontrolled dredging could:

• Disrupt water flow and power generation.
• Damage aquatic ecosystems.
• Reduce dam efficiency through silt redistribution.

Environmentalists recommend conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before approving any mining or dredging project at Tarbela.

Economic Opportunities Ahead

If managed effectively, the Tarbela gold project could attract foreign direct investment (FDI), promote technology transfer, and strengthen Pakistan’s industrial base.

Analysts suggest establishing a National Mineral Wealth Authority to ensure that resource discoveries are:

• Scientifically validated;
• Transparently managed;
• Used to reduce national debt and poverty rather than short-term political gains.

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Conclusion About Gold Reserves Discovered in Tarbela Dam 2025:

The reported discovery of gold reserves worth $636 billion at Tarbela Dam has ignited excitement and debate across Pakistan.
If verified through scientific evaluation and international collaboration, it could mark a turning point for Pakistan’s economy.

However, experts caution that geological validation, environmental safety, and transparency are crucial to ensure that this potential blessing does not become a missed opportunity.

Alongside this, Hanif Gohar’s parallel ventures in Air Karachi and Hyderabad’s hotel industry underscore a renewed push by Pakistan’s private sector toward economic revival and diversification.

The coming months will determine whether the Tarbela gold claim becomes a revolutionary breakthrough or just another unfulfilled promise in Pakistan’s history of untapped potential.