U.S. businesses are eyeing investment opportunities in Pakistan’s minerals sector, which is home to some of the largest copper and gold reserves globally, the Pakistani government stated on Wednesday.
Eric Meyer, a senior official from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, relayed this interest to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during their meeting in Islamabad, as per the government announcement.
This meeting followed Meyer’s attendance at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum. The forum serves as an international platform to attract foreign investments into Pakistan’s mining industry. Beyond copper and gold, the country is endowed with lithium — pivotal for battery manufacturing — and other valuable minerals.
The summit attracted participation from major multinational companies, including the Canadian firm Barrick Gold, alongside government representatives from the U.S., Saudi Arabia, China, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Azerbaijan, and more.
Reko Diq, a region in the volatile province of Balochistan, hosts Pakistan’s substantial copper and gold reserves. The area has recently seen increasing activity from Baloch separatists. During the summit, General Asim Munir, the head of Pakistan’s military, assured foreign investors and companies of the military’s commitment to their security.
According to the statement, Meyer acknowledged the promising prospects of Pakistan’s mineral industry and noted American companies’ interest in exploring these investment avenues.
Further, Washington’s intent to bolster bilateral relations in areas such as trade, investment, and counterterrorism was reaffirmed by Meyer. Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the vast opportunities presented by Pakistan’s mineral resources, encouraging U.S. firms to capitalize on these potential ventures.
Sharif also voiced Pakistan’s aspiration to reinforce its relationship with the Trump administration. On a related note, Meyer’s trip marks the first engagement by a Trump administration official following the U.S.’s implementation of a 29% tariff on Pakistani exports, amid broader trade disputes.
Later on Wednesday, Sharif’s office announced plans for a high-level delegation to head to Washington. The delegation aims to negotiate regarding the tariff issues with Trump administration representatives and to explore ways to elevate bilateral trade relations.