Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and US State Secretary Marco Rubio on Thursday accepted to strengthen the bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United States with special emphasis on increasing trade and financial cooperation.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office, Secretary Rubio placed a telephone call to the prime minister, where both sides had a “warm and heartfelt” view of views on regional and bilateral questions.
During the conversation, the prime minister valued what he described as President Donald Trump’s “bold and decisive leadership” of facilitating a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
He also expressed gratitude for Washington’s role in helping to secure a ceasefire between Pakistan and India.
Read more: Pakistan, OS to end the trade agreement next week
Leaders also discussed the evolving situation in the Middle East, where Prime Minister Shehbaz confirmed Pakistan’s obligation to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the region. In response, Secretary Rubio Pakistan’s efforts recognized and expressed the will of the US government to continue closely coordination.
The exchange came as both countries move to revive economic ties in the midst of changing geopolitical adjustments.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Finance said Pakistan and the United States had decided to end the trade negotiations next week after a meeting between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and US Trade Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Negotiations that focus on mutual tariffs are part of a broader effort by Islamabad to avoid steep US duties on Pakistani exports and to reset the relationship with Washington on a more commercially earthy basis.
Separately, both countries this week hosted a webinar aimed at promoting investments in Pakistan’s mineral sector, with special emphasis on the multi-billion-dollar Reko Diq Copper-Gold project. High-ranking officials from both governments together with private US investors discussed regulatory reforms and public-private partnerships.
The US Export Import Bank is currently undergoing financing proposals worth between $ 500 million and $ 1 billion for possible investments in the REKO DIQ project.
