“POTENTIAL OF ROCK SALT IN THE ECONOMY OF PAKISTAN”

Abstract

Rock salt is crystalline sodium chloride, called halite by mineralogists. It occurs in the form of rock masses and beds and is abundant in rocks from all geological periods. Nature has given Pakistan an inexhaustible wealth of high-grade rock salt deposits in the Punjab and NWFP. These abundant deposits of rock salt may have a very favorable impact on the economy of the country provided they can be utilized and exploited properly and efficiently. The prospects of export of rock salt and subsequent salt-based products from Pakistan are very high if we can effectively tap into this natural source of abundant rock salt deposits. This research study validates the importance of rock salt in the economy of Pakistan. The study contains a comparative study of Pakistani salt producing companies and international salt producers and exporters. Further the study gives reasons for the inefficient salt production ad exports of rock salt from Pakistan. The last part of the study includes the methodology of overcoming the obstacles to exports of rock salt, so that the economy of Pakistan could realize the true potential and benefits of rock salt.