Naqvi, US official discuss strengthening Pakistan-US security cooperation

Pakistan and the United States on Friday discussed expanding cooperation in security, counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics during a meeting in Islamabad between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur.

Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Federal Interior Secretary were also present in the meeting, according to an official statement.

The two sides reviewed their bilateral relations and exchanged views on the latest situation in the Middle East, the statement said.

Naqvi said relations between Pakistan and the United States had strengthened during the tenure of President Donald Trump and described the ties between the two countries as based on mutual trust and bilateral cooperation.

The interior minister said Pakistan had provided “ironclad security” to US companies working on the Reko Diq mining project in southwestern Balochistan province and also expressed Pakistan’s desire to resume direct flights between Pakistan and the US soon.

In February, the United States earmarked $1.3 billion for the Reko Diq copper and gold mining project, aimed at supporting the extraction of mineral reserves in Balochistan. Construction work has already started at the mining site and commercial production is expected to begin in 2028.

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Pakistan’s mineral-rich landscape covers an outcrop area of ​​600,000 square kilometers. With 92 known minerals, of which 52 are commercially exploited, Pakistan produces approximately 68.52 million tonnes of minerals annually. The sector supports more than 5,000 operational mines and 50,000 small and medium-sized enterprises, providing direct employment to 300,000 workers.

Referring to regional developments, Naqvi said he remained hopeful for a lasting and peaceful resolution to the Middle East conflict.

Kapur praised Pakistan’s role in promoting peace and stability in the region, the statement said.

Pakistan had brokered a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 8, followed by critical talks in Islamabad in the presence of senior delegations from both countries on April 11-12.

However, neither side was able to reach an agreement to end the conflict.

Since then, the two sides have exchanged proposals and counter-proposals in an effort to reach common ground and resume a second round of direct talks aimed at ending the conflict, which has already disrupted global energy supplies and daily life in the region.