Pakistan, US reaffirm commitment to enhance economic cooperation

• Finance Minister Aurangzeb meets US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington

• Talks focus on trade, investment, ICT, mining, minerals and energy sectors

• Both sides commit to advancing major investment projects in coming months

 

 WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States on Saturday reaffirmed their commitment to expanding economic cooperation, with a particular focus on trade and investment, according to the Ministry of Finance.

In a post on the social media platform X, the ministry said that a delegation led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met Howard A. Lutnick, US Secretary of Commerce, in Washington.

A Pakistani Delegation, led by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, met US Commerce Secretary, Howard A. Lutnick at the Department of Commerce in Washington D.C.

The Finance Minister was accompanied by Secretary Commerce, Pakistan’s Ambassador to… pic.twitter.com/BP1rleVTpt

— Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan (@Financegovpk) February 21, 2026

The Pakistani delegation included the Commerce Secretary, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, and trade and economic ministers.

“Both sides expressed the desire to enhance economic cooperation, especially in trade and investment, and discussed the United States’ interest in investing in information and communication technology, mining, minerals, and energy sectors,” the ministry said.

According to the ministry, the finance minister appreciated the role of the US Chamber of Commerce in organising the US-Pakistan Trade and Investment Forum, which will take place on March 31 and will be attended by renowned companies and ministerial representation from both countries.

He expressed the hope that the office of the US commerce secretary would also participate in the forum, the ministry said.

“Both sides reiterated their commitment to further their engagements on investments in major projects in the coming months,” it concluded.

Earlier this week, the two countries signed a memo­­randum of understanding (MoU) to launch a structured framework for cooperation on the future of the Roosevelt Hotel in New York.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, with discussions focused on critical minerals, energy cooperation, counter-terrorism, and avenues for increased American investment, according to a US State Department statement.

The talks highlighted Pakistan’s participation in the recent Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington, with the US welcoming Islamabad’s engagement and exploring cooperation in developing Pakistan’s energy and mineral resources, along with commercial opportunities for American companies.