Naqvi and US official discuss strengthening Pakistan-US security cooperation

Pakistan and the United States on Friday discussed expanding cooperation on security, counterterrorism and counternarcotics efforts during a meeting in Islamabad between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur.

The meeting was also attended by the acting US ambassador, Natalie Baker, the minister of state for the interior, Talal Chaudhry, and the federal secretary of the interior, according to an official statement.

Both sides reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on the latest situation in the Middle East, according to the statement.

Naqvi said relations between Pakistan and the United States had strengthened during President Donald Trump’s tenure and described ties between the two countries as based on mutual trust and bilateral cooperation.

The Interior Minister said Pakistan had ensured “foolproof security” for US companies working on the Reko Diq mining project in the southwestern province of Balochistan and also expressed Pakistan’s desire for direct flights between Pakistan and the US to resume soon.

In February, the United States allocated $1.3 billion to the Reko Diq copper and gold mining project, intended to support the extraction of mineral reserves in Balochistan. Construction work has already begun at the mining site and commercial production is expected to begin in 2028.

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Pakistan’s mineral-rich landscape covers an outcrop area of ​​600,000 square kilometers. With 92 known minerals, 52 of which are commercially exploited, Pakistan produces approximately 68.52 million metric tons of minerals annually. The sector supports more than 5,000 operating mines and 50,000 small and medium-sized businesses, providing direct employment to 300,000 workers.

Analyzing regional developments, Naqvi said he remained hopeful for a lasting and peaceful resolution to the Middle East conflict.

Kapur praised Pakistan’s role in promoting peace and stability in the region, the statement said.

Pakistan had negotiated a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 8, followed by critical talks in Islamabad attended by high-level delegations from both countries on April 11 and 12.

However, neither party was able to reach an agreement to end the conflict.

Since then, the two sides have been exchanging proposals and counterproposals in an effort to reach a middle ground and resume a second round of direct talks aimed at ending the conflict, which has already disrupted global energy supplies and daily life across the region.