Pakistan and the United States have agreed to enhance counterterrorism cooperation and boost investment in mining, minerals and energy sectors, the Ministry of Interior said in a press release on Thursday.

The development comes during an important meeting attended by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, and US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs John Mark Pomeroy. US Ambassador Natalie Baker was also present on the occasion.

‎‎According to the interior ministry, the US assistant secretary condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Islamabad and Quetta and expressed condolences to the victims.

‎During the meeting, Pakistan-US bilateral relations and the regional situation were discussed, along with ways to enhance cooperation in counterterrorism, particularly in the field of internal security.

‎Both sides agreed to promote investment and partnership in the mining, minerals, and energy sectors, the ministry said.

‎Speaking on the occasion, Minister Naqvi said that global cooperation is essential in the fight against terrorism, and relations with the United States are of key importance in this regard. He welcomed US investment in the mining, minerals, and energy sectors and emphasised that Pakistan believes in global partnerships to eliminate terrorism and promote investment.

‎The interior minister further assured that American investors would be provided with the safest possible environment in Pakistan.

‎US Assistant Secretary John Mark Pomeroy said that the United States attaches great importance to its relationship with Pakistan.

‎The federal secretary of interior and senior officials were also present on the occasion.

Apart from the US, China and Saudi Arabia have expressed interest in Pakistan’s mining and minerals sector, which could potentially increase the country’s exports by billions of dollars annually.

Last month, China expressed a desire to invest in Pakistan’s mining, minerals, and gemstone sectors.

Chinese Minister Counsellor Yang Guangyuan, who called on Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan in Islamabad on January 20.

During the meeting, Pakistan and Chinese delegations had discussed opportunities for enhancing bilateral economic cooperation, with a particular focus on exports, manufacturing, mining, minerals, and national industrial policies.

Both sides had exchanged views on increasing Pakistan’s exports, strengthening the manufacturing sector, and unlocking the vast potential of mining, minerals, and gemstones through effective policies and timely implementation.

The SAPM had emphasised that investment in gemstones and minerals is a key government priority and noted that mineral and gemstone exports have the potential to earn billions of dollars for Pakistan. He further shared that the prime minister has issued clear directives to provide all possible facilities and incentives to Chinese investors.

Earlier, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had agreed on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the mining and minerals sector, with an emphasis on exploring joint investment opportunities and enhancing collaboration across the entire mineral value chain.