Pakistan-US ties enter new phase of economic engagement
Updated
Updated · thediplomaticinsight.com · May 6
Pakistan-US ties enter new phase of economic engagement
3 articles · Updated · thediplomaticinsight.com · May 6
Speaking in Washington, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh said a 16-member Pakistani business delegation joined the SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from 3-6 May.
He said Middle East disruptions had increased commercial traffic at Karachi Port, underscoring Pakistan's role as a trade and logistics hub and opportunities in IT, minerals, energy and artificial intelligence.
US Assistant Secretary S. Paul Kapur said both countries should turn enduring ties into concrete economic outcomes, as officials cast 2026 as a year of action beyond security-focused relations.
Can Pakistan balance its deep economic ties with China while forging a new strategic partnership with America?
Is Pakistan's economic boom a sustainable pivot or just a temporary benefit from a regional war?
The US-Pakistan Trade and Investment Forum held in March 2026 marked a key step in strengthening economic ties, building on earlier talks and Pakistan's improved economic stability, including its first current account surplus in 14 years and reduced US tariffs. Pakistan's Special Investment Facilitation Council actively promotes partnerships in mining, energy, IT, and tourism, supported by US financing and the Development Finance Corporation. Despite challenges like regional instability and regulatory hurdles, Pakistan is enhancing investor confidence through security commitments and initiatives like offshore wealth repatriation and a business passport. This economic focus reflects a strategic shift from geopolitics to geoeconomics, emphasizing technology, supply chain security, and balanced relations with both the US and China.