Web Desk; In an informal diplomatic outreach, advisers to Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, have pitched a plan to U.S. officials that proposes building a new port at Pasni on the Arabian Sea, according to a report published by the Financial Times.
Though not formal government policy, the concept envisages American investors constructing and operating a terminal to facilitate export of Pakistan’s critical minerals—notably copper and antimony—from the country’s interior. The blueprint includes a rail link connecting mineral-rich western regions to Pasni, enabling a new trade corridor.
The projected cost is estimated at 1.2 billion dollars, to be financed through a combination of Pakistani federal funds and U.S.-backed development investment. The proposal explicitly excludes using the port as a U.S. military base, framing it purely as a commercial and infrastructure project.
Geographically, Pasni is approximately 70 miles from Gwadar—China’s strategically backed port—and about 100 miles from the Iranian border. Some analysts view the move as Pakistan’s attempt to diversify partnerships beyond China and re-engage the United States on economic grounds.
The timing follows a high-profile meeting in September between Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and former President Donald Trump at the White House, where Islamabad sought expanded U.S. investment in sectors including mining and energy.
While U.S. officials have reportedly not confirmed discussing the port during the White House meeting, the FT states the plan was shared with Munir ahead of that visit.
As Pakistan grapples with stalled relations and heavy reliance on Chinese financing, the Pasni proposal signals a bold bid to reposition itself. By offering the U.S. a development anchor in a strategically located port, Islamabad hopes to recast its role not just as a security partner, but as a commercial gateway in South Asia.
Source: Financial Times
