Pakistan, US move closer to trade agreement as Aurangzeb visits Washington

Pakistan and the United States are making strides toward finalizing a comprehensive trade agreement, with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb currently visiting Washington to conclude discussions under the Pak-US Trade Dialogue framework.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the final round of talks is set to take place during the minister's official trip, aimed at deepening bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The ministry said that the formation of a robust trade agreement will benefit the economies of both countries, adding that strong trade and economic ties are key pillars of the Pak-US relationship.

“America is Pakistan’s largest trading partner, and we are keen to expand these relations to both traditional and non-traditional sectors,” the ministry said in a statement. It noted that the two countries see vast potential for partnerships in vital sectors such as information technology, mining, and agriculture.

As part of his visit, Finance Minister Aurangzeb met with the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Islamabad, Elizabeth Horst, ahead of his departure. During their meeting, both sides discussed ongoing bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest. The finance minister expressed gratitude to the United States for its continued support in Pakistan’s economic development.

“Macroeconomic stability achieved in the last one and a half years would not have been possible without US assistance,” Aurangzeb stated during the meeting, while also emphasizing the importance of enhancing cooperation in IT, mineral resources, and agriculture.

The finance minister also briefed the US envoy on Pakistan’s recent economic reforms and performance indicators. He announced that Pakistan is preparing to issue its first-ever Panda Bond in the near future, as part of its broader strategy to diversify financial instruments and attract foreign investment.

US diplomat Horst acknowledged Pakistan’s economic progress and commended the government’s reform agenda. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties across economic and strategic fronts.