Pakistan, US express desire to enhance economic cooperation

Published February 21, 2026
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb shakes hand with US Commerce Secretary Howard A Lutnick as the two meet at the Department of Commerce in Washington. — Photo courtesy Ministry of Finance/X
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb shakes hand with US Commerce Secretary Howard A Lutnick as the two meet at the Department of Commerce in Washington. — Photo courtesy Ministry of Finance/X

Pakistan and the United States on Saturday expressed the desire to enhance economic cooperation, especially in the fields of trade and investment, according to the finance ministry.

In a post on the social media platform X, the ministry said that a delegation led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met US Commerce Secretary Howard A. Lutnick in Washington.

It said that finance minister was accompanied by the commerce secretary, Pakistan’s ambassador to US, and trade and economic ministers.

“Both sides expressed the desire to enhance our economic cooperation, especially in the fields of trade and investment, besides discussing the USA’s interest in investing in fields of information and communication technology, mining, minerals and energy,” the ministry said.

According to the ministry, Aurangzeb appreciated the role of the US Chamber of Commerce in organising the US-Pakistan Trade and Investment Forum, which will take place on March 31 and will be attended by renowned companies and ministerial representation from both countries.

He expressed the hope that the office of the US commerce secretary would also participate in the forum, the ministry said.

“Both sides reiterated their commitment to further their engagements on investments in major projects in the coming months,” it concluded.

Earlier this week, the two countries signed a memo­­randum of understanding (MoU) to launch a structured framework for cooperation on the future of the Roosevelt Hotel in New York.

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