Field Marshal invites US to build port in Balochistan: report

Pakistan has offered the United States access to “critical minerals” by proposing the construction of a port in Balochistan’s Pasni, according to a report by the Financial Times. The proposal, the report said, was conveyed to the Trump administration by advisers to Field Marshal Asim Munir.

This significant development came during the high-profile visit of Army Chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s delegation to the White House, following an invitation from US President Donald Trump.

Although no confirmation has emerged regarding the precise discussions held during the meeting, a photograph circulated in the media showed Field Marshal Asim Munir presenting Trump with rare minerals in a briefcase.

While there were reports suggesting that Pakistan and the US might engage in talks over potential investments in mineral resources, technology, and the energy sector, no official agreement or negotiation was finalised.

The Financial Times report marks the first official mention of such a proposal under consideration between the two governments. However, the Pakistani military has yet to confirm or respond to the report.

Pasni, a port town in Gwadar District that also hosts China’s seaport under the CPEC project, is geographically significant as it borders Afghanistan and Iran.

The FT report claimed it had reviewed the plan, which outlined inviting investment to build a terminal providing access to Balochistan’s mineral wealth.

The report made no mention of the port being offered as a potential military base for US forces. Despite these claims, Pakistan’s foreign ministry has not issued any formal statement on the development.