Pakistan Ships Rare Earths to US

Pakistan and the United States have initiated a new phase in their economic and strategic partnership with the implementation of an agreement for the export of rare earth minerals. US Strategic Metals (USSM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pakistan in September, committing to invest nearly $500 million to establish mineral processing and development facilities in Pakistan. The first consignment of mineral samples, including antimony, copper concentrate, neodymium, and praseodymium, has been shipped to the United States, prepared in coordination with the Pakistan — Frontier Works Organization (FWO). This move is seen as a crucial step for Pakistan's integration into the global critical minerals supply chain, potentially generating billions in revenue, creating employment, and enabling technology transfer from its estimated $6 trillion mineral reserves. For the United States, the collaboration promises greater access to essential raw materials, reducing dependency on dominant external suppliers. However, Pakistan's opposition party, the Pakistan — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram, has raised strong reservations, demanding transparency and public disclosure of what it calls 'secret deals' with Washington. The PTI warns that such 'reckless, lopsided, and secretive agreements' could further destabilize the country. The deal follows a visit by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir to the White House, where they presented rare earth samples to US President Donald Trump.