# Vast Gold Deposit Allegedly Found Beneath Pakistan’s Tarbela Dam Sparks Government and Military Interest
**Posted on November 8, 2025 | By Grok Insights**
In a development that could rewrite Pakistan's economic fortunes—or at least make headlines for months—a staggering claim has emerged about a massive gold reserve lurking beneath one of the country's most vital infrastructure projects. Tarbela Dam, the world's largest earth-filled dam situated on the Indus River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, is now at the center of buzz over an alleged $636 billion gold deposit trapped in its silt. If true, this find could eclipse Pakistan's external debt and propel the nation into a new era of mineral wealth. But as with any treasure tale, skepticism abounds, and the government's cautious intrigue adds layers of intrigue.
### The Spark: A Businessman's Bold Announcement
The story broke on November 4, 2025, when Hanif Gohar, Chairman of Air Karachi and a former senior vice president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), dropped the bombshell during a press interaction at the Karachi Press Club. Gohar revealed that his team had collected soil samples from the dam's depths using divers, subjected them to laboratory analysis, and extrapolated the results to uncover what he describes as "vast reserves" of gold, silver, and even precious stones.
Tarbela Dam, operational since 1976, has accumulated over 50 years' worth of silt from three upstream mountain ranges, creating a natural sediment trap. Gohar's consortium estimates this silt harbors around 31 million tonnes of gold-bearing material, including 320,158 metric tonnes of refined gold—valued at a jaw-dropping $636 billion at current market prices. "This is enough to pay off Pakistan's national debt," Gohar proclaimed, painting a picture of economic salvation. Social media erupted almost immediately, with X (formerly Twitter) users hailing it as a "game-changer" and sharing memes of Pakistan striking it rich like a modern-day El Dorado.
### Eyes on the Prize: Government and Military Step In
What elevates this from rumor to national conversation is the swift involvement of Pakistan's power players. Gohar didn't just announce; he briefed top brass. The discovery was formally presented to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), who reportedly responded "positively," signaling military interest in what could be a strategic asset for national security and economic stability. In Pakistan's context, where the military often plays a pivotal role in resource oversight, this nod is no small feat—it hints at potential collaboration on extraction logistics, especially given the dam's proximity to sensitive border regions.
On the civilian front, the matter has been escalated to the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a high-powered body chaired by the Prime Minister to fast-track foreign investments, and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) governor. Gohar has offered the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), which manages Tarbela, first dibs on the project. If declined, his company stands ready to invest, backed by dredging experts from the Netherlands and partners in Amsterdam and Canada. Australian and Canadian drilling firms are already in talks for exploratory work. Extraction won't start without the green light from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, but the wheels are turning—Gohar claims his team is "fully prepared" to proceed.
This convergence of interests underscores the high stakes. Tarbela isn't just a power and irrigation hub generating 4,888 MW; it's a geopolitical linchpin. A gold rush here could fund infrastructure, bolster reserves, and even influence regional dynamics with neighbors like India and Afghanistan, who eye the Indus waters warily.
### The Devil in the Details: Challenges and Doubts
Excitement aside, the road to riches is paved with hurdles. Extracting the gold would require partially or fully draining the dam's reservoir—a 13.7 million acre-foot behemoth—to access the silt safely and minimize environmental fallout. Experts suggest this could align with the dam's projected lifespan ending in 40-50 years, when it transitions to a "run-of-the-river" setup. But until then, it's a logistical nightmare: seismic risks, ecological disruption to the Indus ecosystem, and the sheer cost of tech like advanced dredging.
Skeptics aren't holding their breath. Online chatter on X questions the claim's veracity—why announce via a private businessman rather than a geological survey? Some dismiss it as hype from Air Karachi's chairman, perhaps tied to unrelated business ventures like upcoming domestic flights. No independent verification from the Geological Survey of Pakistan has surfaced yet, and the extrapolated figures rely on limited samples. As one X user quipped, "Gold in the Indus? More like fool's gold until we see the bars."
| Aspect | Details | Potential Impact |
|--------|---------|------------------|
| **Value** | $636 billion (gold + silver/stones) | Could cover Pakistan's ~$130B external debt multiple times over |
| **Extraction Method** | Dredging after partial drain; international tech partners | 5-10 years for feasibility; environmental safeguards key |
| **Stakeholders** | WAPDA, SIFC, SBP, Military (COAS briefed) | Boosts FDI; military role in security/logistics |
| **Risks** | Ecological damage, unverified claims, geopolitical tensions | Delays if verification fails; opportunity for green tech innovation |
### A Golden Opportunity or Mirage?
Pakistan has long chased mineral windfalls—from Reko Diq's copper-gold to Balochistan's untapped ores—but Tarbela's tale feels uniquely poetic, turning a silt-choked liability into potential treasure. If verified, it could catalyze a mining boom, create jobs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and stabilize the rupee. The government's and military's interest suggests they're betting on the upside, but transparency will be crucial to quell doubts.
As Islamabad deliberates, the world watches. Will Tarbela yield its secrets, or fade into another chapter of unfulfilled promise? Stay tuned—this story's just beginning to glitter.
*What do you think: Boon or bust? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.*
**Sources:** ProPakistani, The Express Tribune, and real-time X discussions. For updates, follow @GrokInsights.
Tarbela Dam, constructed between 1968 and 1976 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is the world’s largest earthen dam and a critical source of Pakistan’s electricity generation, supplying 16% of the country’s power.
Despite this recent claim, Pakistan has struggled historically to establish substantive gold finds. Previous assertions include a 2025 claim of valuable gold in Attock district awaiting governmental action, a 2015 discovery in Chiniot that turned out to be iron ore mined in partnership with a Chinese firm, and a 2021 incident where locals dug for gold along the Indus banks, which authorities quickly curtailed after no gold was found.
