ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen Pakistan-US ties and deepen cooperation across trade, economy, investment, counter-terrorism, and regional peace.
According to the Foreign Office, Secretary Rubio held a phone call with Mr Dar during which both sides expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of relations and exchanged views on recent regional and international developments.
The development comes amid a steady improvement in diplomatic relations between Islamabad and Washington, particularly following the May conflict between Pakistan and India which ended after US President Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Mr Dar had earlier met Mr Rubio in July, where the US official lauded Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war on terror. That meeting, attended by senior officials on both sides, focused on expanding bilateral cooperation and laid the groundwork for subsequent agreements.
Following those talks, the two countries announced a trade agreement aimed at boosting bilateral commerce, improving market access, attracting investment, and developing Pakistan’s oil reserves. The agreement included tariff reductions, particularly benefiting Pakistani exports to the US.
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Earlier this month, Pakistan secured around $500 million in investment in its critical minerals sector through a deal with United States Strategic Metals (USSM). The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), Pakistan’s largest critical minerals miner, signed a landmark MoU with USSM for development, processing, and recycling of rare earth elements (REEs).
Officials said the deal would establish cooperation in sectors vital for defence, aerospace and technology industries, while promoting sustainable growth, technology transfer, and job creation.
Separately, the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) signed an MoU with the Mota-Engil Group to explore long-term partnerships in engineering and construction.
Pakistan’s improving ties with Washington are also linked to high-level military engagement, particularly Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir’s multiple visits to the US.
In June, the army chief held a rare one-on-one meeting with President Trump. He returned to the US in August to attend the retirement ceremony of outgoing Centcom Commander Gen Michael E Kurilla and the change-of-command ceremony marking Admiral Brad Cooper’s assumption of command.
During his visit, the COAS also met Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Dan Caine, underlining the military dimension of renewed Pakistan-US engagement.
