Recent tariff negotiations have also strengthened Pakistan’s position. Islamabad successfully reduced US reciprocal tariffs from 29 per cent to 19 per cent, a move projected to enhance access to US markets.
In a move signalling a profound shift in Pakistan’s infrastructure financing and geopolitical posture, China has withdrawn from financing the pivotal Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project, a cornerstone of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
Reaffirming the United States’ commitment to fostering commercial ties, the U.S. Mission in Pakistan announced its continued support for American businesses interested in operating within the country.
The forum, which drew more than 2,000 participants – including 300 international delegates from countries such as the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Finland, Denmark, and Kenya – is aimed at showcasing investment opportunities in Pakistan’s mineral-rich provinces and regions, including Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Interior Division has reiterated the urgent need for full funding to ensure uninterrupted security services, particularly for foreign nationals working on the project.
Sources indicate that extensive consultations have been conducted at various levels, involving chief secretaries, chief ministers, mining associations, state-owned enterprises, and both large- and small-scale mining companies.
The centre has sounded an alarm over the likely impact of El Niño on India's 2026 southwest monsoon, warning that 315 districts across 12 states could face significant rainfall deficits during the crucial kharif cropping season.