US Official to Visit Pakistan, Emphasize Counterterrorism and Economic Ties

New York(The Uttam Hindu): A senior US State Department official will visit Pakistan to emphasize the importance of ongoing counterterrorism efforts and explore economic partnerships between the two nations. Eric Meyer, the senior official from the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, will lead an interagency delegation on a three-day visit to Islamabad, the US State Department announced on Saturday. Meyer’s visit aims to reinforce the significance of US-Pakistan collaboration in counterterrorism and to expand business opportunities for American companies in Pakistan.

In addition to counterterrorism talks, Meyer will attend the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, aiming to advance US interests in the country’s critical minerals sector. The forum is focused on positioning Pakistan as a key player in the global mining economy, capitalizing on its vast mineral resources like copper, chromite, and lithium, which are crucial for the production of large batteries.

The trip highlights the Trump administration's approach to prioritizing economic and strategic interests, as the US seeks to deepen ties with Pakistan, which had previously been sidelined under former President Joe Biden’s administration. This visit comes after Pakistan's recent efforts to cooperate on counterterrorism, particularly with the capture of ISIS-Khorasan leader Mohammad Sharifullah, who was handed over to the US following the Kabul airport bombing in 2023. While US-Pakistan trade totaled only $7.3 billion in 2024, with a trade deficit of around $3 billion, the visit underscores Washington’s growing interest in enhancing bilateral economic ties, especially in light of Pakistan’s mineral wealth. The US also recently announced a 29% reciprocal tariff on Pakistan.