Aurangzeb departs for US to finalise Pakistan-US trade dialogue

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday departed for the United States to finalise the Pakistan-US trade dialogue, marking a significant step toward strengthening bilateral economic relations.

During the visit, final discussions will take place on a prospective trade agreement aimed at bolstering the economies of both countries.

The government emphasised that robust economic and trade ties remain a key pillar of the Pakistan-US bilateral relationship.

The United States is Pakistan’s largest trading partner, and Islamabad seeks to expand the scope of bilateral cooperation beyond traditional sectors.

The dialogue includes potential collaboration in critical areas such as information technology, minerals, agriculture, and other non-conventional domains.

The finance minister’s visit underscores Pakistan’s commitment to fostering deeper economic engagement and diversifying its trade portfolio with the US, paving the way for mutually beneficial outcomes in the long term.

In June, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan and the United States are entering a new era in their bilateral relationship, and they are committed to further strengthening their ties.

Speaking at the US Independence Day celebration at the American Embassy in Islamabad, the prime minister extended greetings on the occasion of the United States’ 249th Independence Day.

He noted that both countries uphold democratic traditions and the supremacy of their constitutions, adding that Pakistan was among the first nations to recognise the United States.

He said that Pakistan and the US share a long-standing relationship, which is now entering a new phase, with both sides determined to deepen cooperation.

Prime Minister Sharif said that the global war on terror began after 9/11, and by 2018, Pakistan had successfully eliminated terrorism from its soil.