Hanif Gohar, Chairman of Air Karachi and former senior vice president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, has revealed the discovery of $636 billion worth of gold in the soil of Tarbela Dam. The finding was formally presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, both of whom responded positively.
Gohar explained that divers collected soil samples from the dam, which were analysed in laboratories to estimate the total gold content. He emphasised that this treasure could potentially be used to pay off Pakistan’s national debt. Gohar urged the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) to lead the project; however, he also stated that his company is ready to invest, extract the gold, and return the profits to the country if WAPDA declines. Discussions have already been held with dredging experts from Holland, Amsterdam, and Canada.
In addition to the gold project, Gohar announced that Air Karachi will commence domestic flights from March 23, 2026, initially with three to five Airbus aircraft, with international operations planned after a successful domestic year. He also shared plans to build Hyderabad’s first four-star hotel on a five-acre site, highlighting the importance of the construction sector in addressing Pakistan’s budget deficit and boosting economic growth.
Gohar noted that Karachi’s business environment is currently operating “on the back foot” and stressed that growth in key sectors is vital for the country’s financial stability.
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