Pakistan has invited the US-funded Critical Minerals Forum to present a structured framework for collaboration in the country’s minerals and mining sector, signaling a policy-level opening for potential US investment and technology transfer as Islamabad looks to develop its critical minerals potential.
The development emerged during a meeting between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and President of the Critical Minerals Forum Robert Louis Strayer II, who was accompanied by Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Natalie Baker, at the Ministry of Finance on Friday. Senior officials from relevant ministries were also in attendance.
Discussions focused on cooperation in the minerals value chain, strengthening supply-chain security, and encouraging responsible and sustainable investment in Pakistan’s mineral resources.
Welcoming the delegation, Aurangzeb highlighted improvements in Pakistan’s macroeconomic indicators and governance reforms, stating that the country is building a policy environment aimed at ensuring long-term investor confidence.
“Our priority is to establish fiscal discipline so that capital flows into the country and remains secured,” he said, adding that recent positive signals from international rating agencies reflect renewed economic confidence.
The minister affirmed that Pakistan is undertaking significant legal and regulatory reforms and encouraged the delegation to submit a detailed collaboration framework for evaluation.
“We will review proposals with the aim of facilitating responsible investment and ensuring mutual benefit,” he said.
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He further noted Pakistan’s strengthened diplomatic and economic ties, remarking that the country today stands at “a constructive intersection of global relationships,” including renewed momentum with the US, longstanding cooperation with China, and expanding strategic engagement with Saudi Arabia.
Aurangzeb emphasised that the minerals and mining sector offers Pakistan the opportunity to shift from consumption-led to export-driven growth and reduce reliance on external financial support.
Strayer stated that the Critical Minerals Forum aims to support secure and transparent mineral supply chains, particularly for rare and strategic metals, while mitigating financial and security risks. He also underscored the forum’s focus on technology transfer and investor confidence.
The US delegation acknowledged Pakistan’s strong pool of science and engineering talent and noted the country’s potential to become an emerging hub for critical mineral development. The Chargé d’Affaires reaffirmed the US Embassy’s support for promoting commercial cooperation and stressed the importance of stable regulatory frameworks.
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing commitment to continued engagement, aligned with Pakistan’s broader economic reform agenda and shared objectives for sustainable development.
