Buried deep within the Himalayan foothills, glowing blush-pink in the torchlights of miners, lies one of Pakistan’s most extraordinary and underrated treasures: the Khewra Salt Mine. Known as the “Pink Gold” of Pakistan, this sprawling underground marvel is not just a source of salt — it’s a symbol of history, geopolitics, economy, and, increasingly, ecological concern. But as the world praises the aesthetic and healing power of pink Himalayan salt, a question simmers beneath the glossy surface:
Is this mineral marvel a miracle of nature — or a silent environmental timebomb?
Pakistan's pink Himalayan salt, primarily extracted from the historic Khewra Salt Mine, follows a complex network of trade routes that connect it to global markets. Once processed and packaged, the salt is transported via road to major export hubs such as Karachi and Port Qasim, from where it is shipped to countries across Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Sea routes play a dominant role in the global distribution, especially for bulk shipments destined for the U.S., China, Germany, and the UAE. In addition to maritime exports, overland routes through Pakistan’s borders with Afghanistan and China facilitate regional trade. The growing global demand for pink salt has led to improved logistics, export infrastructure, and streamlined customs processes, making Pakistan a key player in the international Himalayan salt market.
Legend has it that the discovery traces back to none other than Alexander the Great. Around 326 BCE, his horses were seen licking rocks in the Jhelum region — revealing deposits of what would become one of the purest forms of rock salt on Earth.
Fast forward to modern-day Pakistan, the Khewra Salt Mine — the second-largest in the world — stretches over 40 kilometers deep into the Salt Range, producing nearly 400,000 tons annually. But here’s the kicker:
Much of this treasure is exported in bulk and dirt-cheap, only to be repackaged abroad and sold at 10x the price.
Let’s talk numbers.
A $12 billion global pink salt industry exists today. Pakistan sits atop the largest reserves — over 220 million tons — yet earns only a few million dollars annually from it.
| Metric | Pakistan’s Share | Global Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Pink Salt Reserves | 90% of global supply | Highest |
| Processing & Packaging Profit | <10% of end value | Minimal |
| Global Brand Presence | Low | USA, Germany |
Why the disparity?
Pakistan exports the raw salt. Other nations process, brand, and profit. It’s like selling unrefined gold dust — while others mint the coins.
Beneath the economic glitter, an environmental alarm is sounding. Mining in Pakistan’s Salt Range is largely manual, under-regulated, and unmonitored — which risks both the ecosystem and the heritage.🔻 Key Concerns:
Even worse? Illegal mining has emerged, siphoning resources with zero environmental compliance.
The mine isn’t just economic infrastructure — it’s an underground wonderland. Entire mosques, cathedrals, and sculptures are carved into salt.
🚂 A small railway train carries tourists through glowing pink tunnels.
🫁 Even a Salt Therapy Chamber is built inside for patients with asthma and lung diseases.But all this may be short-lived.
The more we drill, the more we risk hollowing out our cultural heritage — literally.
Pakistan has two choices:
Let’s bust some myths surrounding this “magical” mineral:
| Claim | Reality |
|---|---|
| Detoxifies your body | Not backed by strong scientific proof |
| Contains 84 minerals | True, but in trace amounts |
| Improves respiratory conditions | Salt therapy may help, but evidence varies |
| Better than table salt | Marginally — both are still sodium-based |
Pakistan ranks among the top pink salt exporters, yet the real economic benefit is murky:
| Factor | Reality |
|---|---|
| Price per ton (domestic) | $40–50 USD |
| Price per ton (exported) | $200–300 USD (after foreign branding) |
| Local branding | Largely absent |
| Royalties to Govt | Minimal returns due to raw exports |
The irony? Countries like India rebrand Pakistani pink salt as their own, selling it for exorbitant prices under premium labels.
The story of Pakistan’s salt mines is a tale of contrast — ancient heritage meets modern negligence. We are sitting on a literal goldmine, yet still waiting for someone else to define its worth.
Perhaps the time has come for Pakistan to stop selling its minerals by the ton — and start selling them by the story.
Because this pink crystal isn't just salt —
It’s a symbol.
Of history.
Of healing.
And of a country finally claiming its crown.