Islamabad: 9 April, 2025 – A U.S. delegation, led by Mr. Eric Meyer, Senior Bureau Official & Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State, paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister. The delegation is visiting Pakistan to attend the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum.
The Prime Minister welcomed U.S. participation at the Forum. He emphasized that the minerals sector of Pakistan presented immense opportunities and encouraged U.S. companies to invest in this priority sector.
While underscoring the significance of Pakistan-U.S relations not only in the bilateral context but also for regional peace and security, the Prime Minister expressed Pakistan’s desire to work with President Trump and his Administration to strengthen bilateral relations with the United States.
The Prime Minister underscored the importance of enhanced cooperation in areas of mutual interest including trade and investment, as well as counter terrorism.
Acting Assistant Secretary Meyer congratulated Pakistan on successfully hosting the Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum. He acknowledged the potential of Pakistan’s mineral sector and conveyed the interest of U.S. companies to invest in the sector. He also expressed U.S. desire to work with Pakistan on issues of shared interest.
He said the U.S. looked forward to enhancing bilateral ties with Pakistan.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Division Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, SAPM Tariq Fatemi and other high level government officials also attended the meeting.
Mr. Eric Meyer called on General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), at General Headquarters.
Meeting came in the backdrop of Pakistan’s Mineral Investment Forum. Appreciating the first-of-its-kind Forum, the delegation expressed confidence in Pakistan’s policy to develop vast untapped mineral wealth through mutually beneficial partnerships.
Commenting on the US Administration’s priorities where collaboration in mineral development with Pakistan is a core area of mutual interest, Mr. Meyer also expressed interest in Pakistan’s steadily improving investment landscape.
The meeting also afforded an opportunity to both sides for sharing perspective on global developments and Pakistan’s regional security imperatives. Both sides expressed confidence on the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and agreed on the need to explore B2B avenues in addition to expanding existing G2G and P2P cooperation for comprehensively strengthening the relationship.
Pakistan Welcomes Minerals Companies from KSA, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, USA, China, Britain
U.S. Senior Official Eric Meyer Visits Pakistan to Boost Minerals Cooperation,
Strengthen Economic and Security Ties
The Embassy of USA in Islamabad shared : Eric Meyer, Senior Official for the Department of State’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, visited Islamabad April 8 and 9 to advance U.S. interests in Pakistan’s critical minerals sector, expand opportunities for U.S. businesses in Pakistan, deepen economic ties between the two countries, and underscore the vital importance of continued collaboration on counterterrorism.
On the margins of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, Mr. Meyer highlighted support for investment in Pakistan’s minerals sector. “Critical minerals are the raw materials necessary for our most advanced technologies,” Senior Bureau Official Meyer said.
“President Trump has made it clear that securing diverse and reliable sources of these materials is a strategic priority. Pakistan’s vast mineral potential—if responsibly and transparently developed—can benefit both our countries.”
The United States continues to work with international partners and Pakistani stakeholders to explore opportunities for investment, technical collaboration, and responsible resource management in the minerals sector.
Mr. Meyer also met with senior Pakistani officials, including Prime Minister Sharif, Chief of Army Staff Munir, Minister of Interior Naqvi, and Minister of Petroleum Malik, to expand opportunities for American businesses in Pakistan, promote the deepening of economic ties between our two countries, and underscore the vital importance of continued collaboration on counterterrorism.
During his visit, Mr. Meyer appreciated the opportunity to meet with Pakistani foreign policy thought leaders, members of the American chambers of commerce, and public diplomacy program alumni to strengthen the close and enduring people-to-people ties between our two countries.
Video Statement by Senior Bureau Official Eric Meyer on the margins of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 April 8, 2025 Jinnah Convention Center , Islamabad
Earlier on 08 April 2025, the US Embassy release a video statement of Mr. Eric Meyer. Here is the text of the statement ;
MR. MEYER: Hi everyone, I’m Eric Meyer, the senior official at the U.S. Department of State for South and Central Asian Affairs. I’m thrilled to be here in Islamabad to experience Pakistan’s wonderful hospitality, attend the Minerals Investment Forum, and to strengthen and promote our important partnership.
I commend Pakistan for convening the Minerals Investment Forum here in Islamabad and for taking steps to ensure a level playing field for investors. Critical minerals are the raw materials for our most important technologies, and President Trump has underscored the importance of securing America’s minerals future.
Although we’re in Islamabad to focus on minerals, I also want to highlight other recent successes in our economic partnership. We recently celebrated the return of U.S. soybean exports to Pakistan. Four vessels carrying more than 260,000 tons of soybeans have arrived over the last few weeks. It’s a win-win for U.S. exporters and for Pakistanis alike, and we look forward to more such wins in the future.
What makes me most optimistic about the U.S.-Pakistan partnership is that our cooperation is based on the close and enduring ties between our peoples. So many of you have studied in the United States, participated in our exchange programs, have family, friends and business partners in the U.S.
I’m looking forward to working with each of you as we work together to lead the charge in deepening the partnership between the U.S. and Pakistan.
