Former Senate president Mian Raza Rabbani criticized the federal government for not having maintained transparency in the finalization of an oil exploration agreement with the United States, which was publicly revealed by a tweet from the American president on Wednesday evening.
In a press release published Thursday, Rabbani said that it was “a sad day for transparency and good governance” when the people of Pakistan had to learn such an agreement through social networks rather than formal government channels.
He recalled to the federal government by virtue of article 172, paragraph 3, of the 1973 Constitution, the provinces have a 50% participation in all land, minerals and value resources. “These transactions and projects fall under constitutional provisions and cannot be finalized unilaterally,” he said.
Calling for greater institutional surveillance, Rabbani demanded that the government gain confidence in Parliament on what it called “Western oriented initiatives”.
He also urged the federal authorities to convene a meeting of the Common interest Council (CCI) to initiate all the provinces in discussions on the oil agreement and similar future projects.
The United States has concluded a trade agreement with Pakistan, said US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, a few hours after announcing 25% prices on imports from India in addition to the “penalty” not specified on the purchases of New Delhi of Russian arms and energy.
Read: Pakistan, US Seal Trade Deal
Trump said the agreement with Pakistan included the joint development of the country’s “massive” oil reserves. The announcement occurred while talks continue with other nations, including South Korea, before its self-imposed deadline on August 1.
“We have just concluded an agreement with the country of Pakistan, by which Pakistan and the United States will work together to develop their massive oil reserves,” Trump wrote in his social media platform for “Truth Social”.
Donald J. Trump Truth Social 07.30.25 03:44 am hne pic.twitter.com/cra6jysng6
– Fan Donald J. Trump publishes from Truth Social (@trumpdailyposts) July 30, 2025
“We are choosing the oil company which will lead this partnership. Who knows, maybe they will sell oil to India one day!” The American president wrote in his article, without giving additional details on the agreement.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his gratitude to American President Donald Trump on Thursday in the finalization of a “historic” trade agreement between Pakistan and the United States.
“I would like to transmit my depths thanks to President Trump for his role as leadership in the finalization of the Historical American-Pakistani commercial agreement, successfully concluded our two parties in Washington last night,” the Prime Minister wrote on his X calendar.
I wish to transmit my deep thanks to President Trump @Realdonaldtrump For its role as leadership in the finalization of the Historical American-Pakistani commercial agreement, successfully concluded by our two games in Washington last night.
This historical agreement will improve our growing cooperation …– Shehbaz Sharif (@cmshehbaz) July 31, 2025
He said that the “monument” agreement would improve increasing bilateral cooperation to extend the borders of a sustainable partnership in the coming days.
