Pakistan Aims to Double US Trade to $20 Billion

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on July 28, 2026, that Pakistan intends to double its bilateral trade with the United States to $20 billion within five years. Addressing a delegation of U.S. lawmakers and business representatives in Islamabad, Dar noted that goods trade reached $9.4 billion in the previous fiscal year.

Dar promoted Pakistan as an investment destination by highlighting structural reforms and opportunities in defense, energy, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence. He encouraged U.S. investors to use the Special Investment Facilitation Council's one-window facility to expedite approvals. He cited the U.S. Export-Import Bank's $1.25 billion financing for the Reko Diq copper-and-gold mining project as evidence of increasing investor confidence.

Beyond economic goals, Dar thanked President Donald Trump for his role in facilitating a May 2025 ceasefire between Pakistan and India. He also acknowledged U.S. trust in Pakistan's involvement in negotiations for the June U.S.-Iran Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.