US Explores Locomotive Sales, Mineral Deals with Pakistan: Report
Discussions took place during Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb’s visit to Washington in October
Islamabad: The current US administration under President Donald Trump has approached Pakistan to explore partnerships in the sale of American locomotives and cooperation in mineral exploration, including assessment studies and agreements aimed at accelerating extraction, The Express Tribune reported, citing sources from Pakistan’s government.
According to the report, discussions took place during Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb’s visit to Washington in October on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) annual meetings.
Pakistani authorities have since held internal consultations to evaluate US interest in the transport and minerals sectors.
Sources said Aurangzeb met several senior US officials, including Raymond Emory Cox, Special Assistant to the US President for International Economic Relations, and Ricky Gill, Special Assistant to the US President and Senior Director for South and Central Asia.
During the meetings, Gill reportedly requested Pakistan’s support for purchasing American locomotives under an already issued tender. Pakistan had earlier procured 55 locomotives from the US, but Pakistan Railways is currently facing liquidity constraints and is relying mainly on repairs and refurbishment of its existing fleet.
Sources also claimed that Gill sought favourable consideration of Starlink’s licence application to provide high-speed internet services in Pakistan, particularly in rural and remote areas.
The report further said US officials emphasised that protecting and advancing American commercial interests was a key priority of the Trump administration and stressed the need for a level playing field for US companies.
They also appreciated Pakistan’s decision to withdraw a proposed 5 per cent digital services tax to facilitate a trade understanding, the sources added.
US officials reportedly highlighted cooperation in critical minerals as a major priority. The US Congress has established a USD 135 billion fund for global investments in critical minerals, while the US Exim Bank has approved a USD 1.25 billion loan for the Reko Diq Mining Company in Balochistan.
In a separate meeting, Thomas Lersten, a senior official at the US State Department’s Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs, reiterated Washington’s interest in Pakistan’s critical minerals sector. He proposed collaboration on reserve assessments and offtake agreements to speed up extraction and noted that artificial intelligence was a strategic US priority.
Aurangzeb also met Robert Kaproth, Assistant Secretary of State for International Finance, who discussed regional financial developments and outlined the US focus on private-sector digital finance solutions and cross-border digital frameworks, according to the report.
