Finance Minister Leaves for US for Crucial Trade Talks

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb left for Washington on Monday to hold the final round of talks under the Pakistan-US Trade dialogue. The ministry said the visit aims to conclude discussions on a trade agreement. The United States is Pakistan’s largest trading partner, and Pakistan is seeking to expand trade beyond traditional sectors into areas like IT, minerals, and agriculture. Before his departure, Aurangzeb met with US Chargé d’Affaires Elizabeth Horst in Islamabad. The two reviewed bilateral ties and ongoing economic cooperation. Aurangzeb appreciated US support for Pakistan’s macroeconomic stability over the past 18 months and discussed reforms in taxation and energy. He also shared updates on Pakistan’s sovereign rating upgrades, investor sentiment, recent entry into Middle Eastern capital markets, and upcoming access to Euro and USD markets. Horst welcomed the progress and reaffirmed US commitment to strengthening economic ties. Washington, however, has not provided a timeline for concluding a trade deal.