Pakistan, US seek stronger ties as congressional delegation visits Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, technology, energy and other sectors as a US Congressional delegation met Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday.

According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a post on X, the delegation, comprising US representatives Ryan Zinke and Michael Baumgartner, held talks with the foreign minister on bilateral relations and future areas of cooperation.

FM Dar described the visit as reflecting the “enduring strength” of Pakistan-US relations and the positive momentum in ties between the two countries. He said Pakistan and the United States, home to the world’s fifth- and third-largest populations respectively, had opportunities to build a partnership based on shared interests.

“Pakistan and the United States have every reason to build a partnership that fully harnesses our respective strengths for our mutual benefit,” FM Dar said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said both sides discussed the importance of continued parliamentary exchanges to strengthen trust and reinforce the longstanding partnership between the two countries. The congressional delegation also recognized the contribution of the Pakistani diaspora in the United States, describing it as a bridge between the two nations.

The foreign minister stated that high-level engagements had become a regular feature of Pakistan-US relations, noting his continued engagement with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, including two meetings in Washington over the previous year.

He added that Pakistan’s engagement with the US Congress had expanded through dialogue with lawmakers and interactions with congressional committees, particularly the Foreign Affairs Committee.

The Pakistani foreign minister said the relationship between the two countries contributed to regional stability and international peace. He referred to Pakistan’s role in regional diplomatic efforts, including the ceasefire understanding reached between Pakistan and India in May 2025, which he credited to efforts by US President Donald Trump and his administration.

FM Dar also said Pakistan facilitated US-Iran dialogue, which led to the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding in June.

“Pakistan will continue to support dialogue, diplomacy, and peaceful resolution of disputes,” he said.

On economic cooperation, Dar noted that the United States was Pakistan’s largest single-country export destination, with bilateral trade reaching $9.4 billion in the last fiscal year. He said Pakistan aimed to increase bilateral trade to $20 billion over the next five years.

Pakistan also remained among the largest importers of US cotton and soybean and was becoming an important market for US hydrocarbons. The foreign minister added that demand for machinery, technology and capital goods created opportunities for US manufacturers.

He said more than 80 American companies operate in Pakistan and that US businesses were exploring opportunities in technology, critical minerals, energy and defense sectors.

Dar also referred to Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council, saying it was created to provide a one-window facility for investors. He said Pakistan aimed to expand cooperation with US companies in information technology, artificial intelligence, energy, manufacturing, critical minerals and agriculture.

Pakistan had streamlined regulatory procedures, reduced bureaucratic barriers, simplified licensing requirements, shortened approval timelines and improved transparency to support investment, the deputy prime minister noted.

FM Dar also pointed to infrastructure development through highways, ports, logistics corridors and regional connectivity projects.

He welcomed continued support from US financial institutions, including the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the US International Development Finance Corporation and the US Trade and Development Agency.

Dar said the US Export-Import Bank’s $1.25 billion financing for the Reko Diq project reflected growing confidence in Pakistan’s economic future.