Pakistan has proposed the construction and operation of a port at Pasni on the Arabian Sea to US officials, aiming to enhance its strategic presence in a geopolitically sensitive area. This initiative, led by advisers to Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, seeks to transform Pasni—a small fishing town in Balochistan—into a hub for transporting critical minerals like copper and antimony, which are vital for various industries including batteries and missile production.

The plan was reportedly discussed during a recent meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Munir, and US President Donald Trump. While the proposal was shared with some US officials, it has not been officially confirmed by any government entities. A senior official from the Trump administration stated that the proposal had not reached the president for discussion.

The port project is part of a broader strategy by Pakistani officials to strengthen ties with the US, especially in light of cooling relations between the US and India. The proposed port would include a railway network to connect mineral-rich areas in Pakistan, particularly the Reko Diq mines, with an estimated project cost of $1.2 billion. Funding is expected to come from a combination of Pakistani federal resources and US-backed development finance.

Supporters of the plan argue that it would diversify Pakistan's strategic options and improve relations with the US, China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. The proposal emphasizes that the port would not host US military bases, addressing concerns about potential military use of the facility. The blueprint highlights Pasni's proximity to Iran and Central Asia, suggesting it could enhance US trade and security options in the region.

Missouri-based US Strategic Metals (USSM) has shown interest in the project, having signed a memorandum of understanding with Pakistan’s military engineering corps. USSM's commercial director noted that the initiative could help rekindle the long-standing friendship between the US and Pakistan, which has faced challenges in recent years due to Islamabad's support for the Taliban.

In a related development, Pakistan recently shipped a small consignment of critical minerals to USSM, marking a step towards enhancing its mineral sector, which currently contributes about 3% to the country's GDP. Hussain Abidi, chair of the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, described the initiative as a way to reset economic ties with the US, moving beyond traditional security partnerships.