ISLAMABAD – Amid rising global economic uncertainty and the fallout from the intensifying U.S.-China tariff conflict, Islamabad and Washington are reigniting diplomatic engagement with two high-level American delegations scheduled to visit Pakistan this week, officials confirmed on Sunday.
The first of these visits will be led by Eric Meyer, the Senior Bureau Official (SBO) for the U.S. Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, from April 8 to 10, 2025.
His visit underscores a growing strategic interest by the U.S. in strengthening ties with Pakistan, particularly in the realms of economic cooperation, security, and critical minerals development.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Meyer will take part in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, where he is expected to promote American interest in Pakistan’s mineral sector.
The forum aims to attract international investment in the country’s vast and largely untapped deposits of critical minerals, vital for the global shift toward clean energy and high-tech industries.
In his meetings with senior Pakistani officials, Meyer will focus on enhancing economic collaboration, encouraging U.S. private sector participation in Pakistan’s mineral value chain, and reinforcing efforts to diversify global supply chains.
This is a key priority for Washington amid growing concerns about over-reliance on a few sources for strategic resources.
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Alongside economic matters, Meyer will also hold discussions on counterterrorism cooperation, reaffirming the importance of continued U.S.-Pakistan collaboration in regional security and stability.
His visit is part of a broader U.S. diplomatic effort to revitalize partnerships in South and Central Asia with renewed emphasis on shared economic and security goals.
U.S. Congressional Delegation to Follow
Shortly after Meyer’s visit, a U.S. Congressional delegation will arrive in Pakistan from April 10 to 15.
The delegation will be led by Congressmen General Jack Bergman and Tom Suozzi, and will engage with Pakistan’s political and military leadership during their week-long stay.
According to diplomatic sources, the delegation is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and leaders from major political parties.
A visit to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is also planned, where the delegation will receive briefings on the security situation and developments in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), as well as along the Line of Control (LoC).
In addition, the U.S. lawmakers will visit the Kartarpur Corridor, where they will pay respects at the shrine of Baba Guru Nanak, highlighting the corridor’s role as a symbol of religious harmony.
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The primary objective of the congressional visit is to deepen bilateral ties across a spectrum of areas including trade, defense, education, and economic development.
However, officials clarified that the delegation will not engage in discussions on Pakistan’s internal political matters, including the incarceration of PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
Meeting with Khan at Adiala Jail is not on the agenda, and the visiting lawmakers have reportedly expressed limited interest in Pakistan’s ongoing domestic political tensions.
