WASHINGTON: Pakistan will hold a trade and investment forum in the United States on March 31, aimed at promoting bilateral economic ties and attracting American investment.
Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington to discuss ways to enhance trade and investment between the two countries.
According to a statement from Pakistan’s Finance Ministry, both leaders emphasised the importance of strengthening economic cooperation and welcomed the upcoming US-Pakistan Trade and Investment Forum.
The trade and investment forum will include leading companies from both countries and ministerial-level participation.
Finance Minister Aurangzeb will also participate in sessions organised by the US Department of Commerce.
A Pakistani Delegation, led by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, met US Commerce Secretary, Howard A. Lutnick at the Department of Commerce in Washington D.C.
The Finance Minister was accompanied by Secretary Commerce, Pakistan’s Ambassador to… pic.twitter.com/BP1rleVTpt
— Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan (@Financegovpk) February 21, 2026
Focus on strategic sectors
Officials said both sides highlighted opportunities for American investment in Pakistan’s IT, mining, minerals, and energy sectors.
They also agreed to maintain continued engagement on investment in large-scale projects to further bilateral economic ties.
“Finance Minister appreciated the role of the US Chamber of Commerce in organising the US-Pakistan Trade and Investment Forum on March 31, 2026, which would be attended by renowned companies from both countries alongside ministerial representation,” the statement said.
Aurangzeb also expressed hope that the US Department of Commerce would participate in the forum.
Strengthening bilateral cooperation
The meeting follows a series of recent engagements between Pakistan and the United States aimed at enhancing trade, investment, and regional cooperation.
In July last year, the two sides reached a bilateral trade deal that included reciprocal tariff reductions.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met senior US officials in Washington, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and International Development Finance Corporation Chief Executive Benjamin Black, to discuss cooperation on critical minerals, energy, and counterterrorism.
Economic diplomacy
Pakistan has intensified its economic diplomacy with the United States as it seeks to stabilise its economy, expand exports, and attract foreign investment under an International Monetary Fund-backed reform programme.
Officials noted that both sides reiterated their commitment to further engagement on investment in major projects in the coming months, signalling continued collaboration in key strategic sectors.
