Pakistan shipped its first batch of enriched rare earth elements and critical minerals to the United States, marking the start of a $500 million partnership between the two countries. The inaugural consignment, delivered to US Strategic Metals (USSM) on Thursday, includes copper concentrate, antimony, and rare earths such as neodymium and praseodymium, according to Dawn.
The shipment, prepared in collaboration with the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), is seen as a potential turning point in Islamabad’s economic and diplomatic ties with Washington.
However, the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has raised sharp objections, calling the deals “secretive” and “reckless”. PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram demanded that the government disclose the details of all agreements signed with the US, warning that “such lopsided and secretive agreements would further inflame the already volatile situation in the country.”
He added that parliament “must be taken on board” and that PTI “would never accept agreements struck at the expense of the people and the state’s interests.”
Trade push and political controversy
The deal follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) last month between US Strategic Metals and the FWO at the Prime Minister’s House, witnessed by US diplomats including Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Zach Harkenrider.
“This signing is yet another example of the strength of the US-Pakistan bilateral relationship that will benefit both countries,” US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker said. She noted that President Donald Trump’s administration has prioritised agreements involving critical minerals, calling them essential for “American security and prosperity.”
The partnership comes amid reports that Pakistan’s army has floated a commercial proposal offering the US development rights for a port in Pasni, near Gwadar, to facilitate mineral exports. The Financial Times reported that the plan, allegedly shared by advisers to Field Marshall Asim Munir, would involve American investors building a $1.2 billion terminal linked to Pakistan’s mineral belt.
The shipment, prepared in collaboration with the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), is seen as a potential turning point in Islamabad’s economic and diplomatic ties with Washington.
However, the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has raised sharp objections, calling the deals “secretive” and “reckless”. PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram demanded that the government disclose the details of all agreements signed with the US, warning that “such lopsided and secretive agreements would further inflame the already volatile situation in the country.”
He added that parliament “must be taken on board” and that PTI “would never accept agreements struck at the expense of the people and the state’s interests.”
Trade push and political controversy
The deal follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) last month between US Strategic Metals and the FWO at the Prime Minister’s House, witnessed by US diplomats including Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Zach Harkenrider.
“This signing is yet another example of the strength of the US-Pakistan bilateral relationship that will benefit both countries,” US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker said. She noted that President Donald Trump’s administration has prioritised agreements involving critical minerals, calling them essential for “American security and prosperity.”
The partnership comes amid reports that Pakistan’s army has floated a commercial proposal offering the US development rights for a port in Pasni, near Gwadar, to facilitate mineral exports. The Financial Times reported that the plan, allegedly shared by advisers to Field Marshall Asim Munir, would involve American investors building a $1.2 billion terminal linked to Pakistan’s mineral belt.
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