ISLAMABAD: The United States has approached Pakistan to explore the sale of American locomotives and to seek collaboration in assessing and developing the country’s mineral resources, according to the Express Tribune quoting the government sources familiar with the discussions.
The talks took place during Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb’s visit to Washington in October on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Pakistani officials have since held internal consultations to evaluate US interest in the transport and minerals sectors.
Sources said Aurangzeb met senior US officials, including Raymond Emory Cox, Special Assistant to the US President for International Economic Relations, and Ricky Gill, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South and Central Asia. During the meetings, US officials requested Pakistan’s support for the purchase of American locomotives, for which a tender has already been issued. Pakistan had previously acquired 55 locomotives from the United States.
US officials also expressed interest in Pakistan’s critical minerals sector, proposing cooperation on assessment studies and agreements to enable faster extraction. The discussions align with Washington’s broader push to secure global supplies of critical minerals, a priority under President Donald Trump’s economic agenda.
In addition, the US side sought favourable consideration of Starlink’s licence application to provide high-speed internet services in Pakistan, particularly for rural and remote areas. American officials welcomed recent steps by Pakistan to improve the business environment, including the withdrawal of a digital services tax.
The talks also covered digital finance, energy cooperation and private-sector investment, with US officials expressing interest in collaborating with Pakistan on cross-border digital frameworks and emerging technologies.
Analysts say enhanced cooperation with the United States could help Pakistan modernise its ageing railway infrastructure, unlock the economic potential of its vast mineral reserves, and attract long-term foreign investment. At the same time, US interest in Pakistan’s critical minerals reflects growing global competition to diversify supply chains away from overreliance on a single source, positioning Pakistan as a potential strategic partner in emerging energy and technology markets.
