US eyes Pakistan's critical mineral potential
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets with a US delegation led by Eric Meyer, Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the State Department, in the federal capital. PHOTO: PPI
A senior Trump administration official on Wednesday said Pakistan's "vast mineral potential" can benefit the United States as he highlighted that President Donald Trump declared securing the diverse and reliable sources of critical minerals as a strategic priority.
Eric Meyer, Senior Official for the Department of State's Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, concluded his two-day visit to Islamabad.
A statement issued by the US embassy said the US delegation visit was meant to advance US interests in Pakistan's critical minerals sector, expand opportunities for US businesses in Pakistan, deepen economic ties between the two countries, and underscore the vital importance of continued collaboration on counterterrorism.
On the margins of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, Mr Meyer highlighted support for investment in Pakistan's minerals sector.
"Critical minerals are the raw materials necessary for our most advanced technologies," Senior Bureau Official Meyer said.
"President Trump has made it clear that securing diverse and reliable sources of these materials is a strategic priority. Pakistan's vast mineral potentialif responsibly and transparently developedcan benefit both our countries," he was quoted as saying by the US Embassy.
It said the United States continues to work with international partners and Pakistani stakeholders to explore opportunities for investment, technical collaboration, and responsible resource management in the minerals sector.
Meyer also met with senior Pakistani officials, including Prime Minister Sharif, Chief of Army Staff Munir, Minister of Interior Naqvi, and Minister of Petroleum Malik, to expand opportunities for American businesses in Pakistan, promote the deepening of economic ties between our two countries, and underscore the vital importance of continued collaboration on counterterrorism.
During his visit, Meyer appreciated the opportunity to meet with Pakistani foreign policy thought leaders, members of the American chambers of commerce, and public diplomacy program alumni to strengthen the close and enduring people-to-people ties between our two countries.
A separate statement released by the PM Office said Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with a U.S. delegation led by Mr. Meyer, Senior Bureau Official and Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State, in Islamabad.
The Prime Minister welcomed US participation in the forum. He emphasized that Pakistan's mineral sector has vast potential, and American companies should take advantage of investment opportunities in this priority area.
Highlighting the importance of Pakistan-U.S. relations in the context of bilateral ties and regional peace and security, the Prime Minister expressed Pakistan's desire to work with President Trump and his administration to further strengthen bilateral relations.
The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, as well as counterterrorism.
The US official congratulated Pakistan on the successful organization of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum.
He acknowledged the vast potential of Pakistan's mineral sector and conveyed the interest of American companies in investing in this field. He also expressed the U.S. desire to work with Pakistan on matters of mutual interest and reiterated that the United States is keen to further strengthen bilateral relations with Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the US delegation headed by Eric Meyer, Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, called on General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), at General Headquarters.
Meeting came in the backdrop of Pakistan's Mineral Investment Forum. Appreciating the first-of-its-kind Forum, the delegation expressed confidence in Pakistan's policy to develop vast untapped mineral wealth through mutually beneficial partnerships.
Commenting on the US Administration's priorities where collaboration in mineral development with Pakistan is a core area of mutual interest, Mr. Meyer also expressed interest in Pakistan's steadily improving investment landscape.
The meeting also afforded an opportunity to both sides for sharing perspective on global developments and Pakistan's regional security imperatives. Both sides expressed confidence on the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and agreed on the need to explore B2B avenues in addition to expanding existing G2G and P2P cooperation for comprehensively strengthening the relationship.
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