Pakistan’s scientific base is seen as a competitive advantage, with the potential to become a future mining hub
US Critical Minerals Forum (CMF) Chairman Robert Louis Strayer II, along with US Chargé d’affaires Natalie Baker, called on Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister of Finance, to discuss enhanced cooperation in Pakistan’s mining and minerals sector.
Discussions focused on developing secure and transparent supply chains, promoting responsible investments and fostering sustainable growth in Pakistan’s critical mining landscape.
The visit comes as Washington steps up efforts to diversify global supply chains and reduce reliance on China for rare earth materials – an area long dominated by Beijing.
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Aurangzeb welcomed the initiative, saying Pakistan was implementing broad legal and regulatory reforms to attract responsible investments. “We encourage you to come back with a detailed collaboration framework,” he told the delegation, assuring that Pakistan would review the proposals to ensure mutual benefit.
The Chairman of the US Forum on Critical Minerals, Mr. Robert Louis Strayer II, along with the US Chargé d’affaires Ms. Natalie Baker, today visited the Federal Minister of Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, and his team.
Discussions focused on strengthening Pakistan and the United States… pic.twitter.com/fvUAWxyVJg
– Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan (@Financegovpk) October 31, 2025
He described the mining sector as a “transformational opportunity” capable of driving export-led growth and reducing dependence on multilateral support. “A robust mining policy will help Pakistan break the cycle of balance of payments pressures and ensure long-term economic stability,” he said.
According to a report by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), the country has vast mineral reserves spanning 600,000 square kilometers, with 92 identified minerals, of which 52 are commercially exploited, and an annual production capacity of around 68.5 million tonnes. Despite this potential, Pakistan has yet to fully exploit its resources. The sector is growing on average two to three percent per year, with key materials such as copper and gypsum offering strong export prospects.
Aurangzeb noted that Pakistan’s economic diplomacy is evolving in a “constructive intersection of global relations: renewed momentum in Pakistan-US relations, time-tested relations with China, and forward-looking strategic cooperation with Saudi Arabia.”
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The meeting came a day after the United States signed a 10-year defense framework agreement with India, described by Washington as a “cornerstone of regional stability and deterrence”, as US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met his Chinese and Indian counterparts at an ASEAN summit in Malaysia.
These back-to-back commitments underscore Washington’s broader efforts to strengthen strategic and economic partnerships in South and Southeast Asia, amid growing competition with Beijing.
In today’s meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued engagement in line with Pakistan’s reform agenda and its shared sustainable development goals.
Strayer said CMF works globally to “de-risk investments from a financial and security perspective” and to build reliable supply networks for U.S. industries, particularly in emerging markets. He highlighted Pakistan’s strong scientific and technical base as a “competitive advantage”, recognizing its potential to become “a future hub for the development of critical minerals”.
He also highlighted the FMC’s commitment to supporting technology transfer, intellectual property protection and private sector confidence.
