Massive gold reserves worth $636 billion unearthed in Tarbela

Experts have discovered gold in Tarbela Dam, with the total estimated value of the reserves around $636 billion, a figure that according to Air Karachi Chairman Hanif Gohar, is large enough to eliminate Pakistan’s foreign debt.

Gohar, who is also the former senior vice president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) announced that extensive gold deposits have been discovered in the soil of Tarbela Dam, with an estimated worth of $636 billion.

According to him, this discovery could potentially transform Pakistan’s economic situation if properly utilized.

Addressing journalists at the Karachi Press Club on Monday, Gohar revealed that both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir have been officially notified about the finding. He added that both leaders have responded positively after being briefed on the potential of the reserves.

Gohar elaborated that the discovery came after divers collected soil samples from the depths of Tarbela Dam. These samples were then tested in laboratories, where the presence of gold was confirmed.

On the basis of those results, experts calculated the total estimated value of the reserves to be around $636 billion, a figure that, according to Gohar, is large enough to eliminate Pakistan’s foreign debt.

He further stated that the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) should ideally take the lead in developing the project. However, if the authority is unable to proceed, his company is willing to finance and manage the extraction process, ensuring that the recovered gold is handed over entirely to the state.

Gohar added that his organization has already consulted with international dredging specialists from Holland, Amsterdam, and Canada to plan the extraction process. He emphasized that his team is ready to begin work immediately once the government grants formal approval.

In a separate announcement, Gohar discussed plans for Air Karachi, confirming that the airline’s domestic flights are scheduled to commence on March 23, 2026, with an initial fleet of three to five Airbus aircraft. He added that international routes would be launched following a year of successful domestic operations.