US official discusses trade, investment, critical minerals

2026-02-14 - 23:26

Abdul Hadi Mayar Islamabad US Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs John Mark Pommersheim on Saturday concluded his five-day Visit to Islamabad, holding discussions with Pakistani officials underscored the importance of expanding trade and investment, including the AI, IT, energy, and critical minerals and mining sectors. During his visit, he met with Director General of Military Operations Major General Kashif Abdullah, Director General of Military Intelligence Major General Wajid Aziz Khan, Minister of IT and Telecommunications ShazaKhawaja, Interior Minister MohsinNaqvi, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik. In Islamabad, Pommersheim attended the launch of Pakistan’s Indus AI Week, where he supported US interests in expanding partnerships in Pakistan’s IT and digital sectors and advocated for a level playing field for US firms. He also engaged with business leaders and alumni of US exchange programmes. “Pommersheim’s visit comes at a significant moment as both countries seek to deepen cooperation on economic growth and shared security interests,” US Embassy’s Press Office said in a statement. It added that the visit marked the continued close cooperation between the United States and Pakistan. It said: “Under President Trump’s vision, the United States is forging new partnerships, championing innovation, and defining a new era of diplomacy that will carry us forward for the next 250 years.” The statement said Pommersheim recognized Pakistan’s ongoing economic reforms efforts under the IMF program and encouraged officials to implement policies that foster a fair investment environment. “He welcomed Pakistan’s efforts to implement reforms that enable private sector-led growth.”