Two high-level US delegations will visit Pakistan this week, marking an important step toward deepening bilateral relations in trade, security, and economic cooperation, amid growing concerns over the ongoing tariff issues.
The first delegation, led by Eric Meyer, the Senior Bureau Official (SBO) for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the US State Department, will visit Islamabad from April 8-10, 2025. Meyer’s visit will focus on the critical minerals sector, particularly at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF25), which will take place at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad.
The forum, scheduled for April 8-9, is expected to serve as a platform for global stakeholders, including American companies, to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan’s burgeoning mineral sector.
Meyer will meet with senior Pakistani officials to promote economic collaboration and facilitate US investment in the country’s mineral-rich landscape, which spans over 600,000 square kilometers.
Pakistan’s mining sector, which supports over 5,000 operational mines and 50,000 SMEs, remains one of the country’s key economic drivers.
During his visit, Meyer will also highlight US interest in supporting Pakistan’s efforts to diversify its supply chains for critical minerals, essential for clean energy technologies and modern industries.
In addition to discussions on economic cooperation, Meyer is expected to reinforce the importance of continued US-Pakistan collaboration in counterterrorism efforts. This aspect of the visit aims to reaffirm Washington’s commitment to regional security and stability.
The visit coincides with a difficult period for Pakistan, following President Donald Trump’s imposition of a 29% reciprocal tariff on goods imported from Pakistan. In response, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed two special bodies to address the issue, and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has confirmed that a delegation will travel to Washington to press Pakistan’s case.
Following Meyer’s visit, a second high-level delegation from the US Congress will arrive in Pakistan from April 10 to 15, 2025. Led by Congress members General Jack Bergman and Tom Suozzi, the delegation will meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, and leaders from major political parties.
During their stay, the delegation will focus on strengthening bilateral relations in key areas such as economy, defense, trade, and education.
The members will also visit Azad Jammu and Kashmir to assess the situation in Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and the security conditions along the Line of Control (LoC).
The congressional delegation will also visit the Kartarpur Corridor, where they will pay respects at the shrine of Baba Guru Nanak.
Both visits come at a time when Pakistan seeks to bolster its relations with the United States, particularly in trade and defense, and address pressing issues like tariffs and the evolving security situation in the region.
