U.S. Offers Locomotives, Seeks Minerals Collaboration in Talks With Pakistan

Reports on October meetings in Washington detail U.S. outreach, with Pakistan Railways constrained by a cash crunch.

Overview

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met U.S. advisers Raymond Emory Cox, Ricky Gill, Thomas Lersten and Robert Kaproth on the sidelines of the IMF meetings in Washington in October.
Gill urged support for the purchase of American-made locomotives under an existing tender, but Pakistan Railways is prioritizing repairs and a Rs16 billion overhaul of 100 diesel‑electric units due to liquidity strains.
Lersten proposed cooperation to assess Pakistan’s critical mineral reserves, secure offtake agreements and accelerate extraction, framed by a reported $135 billion U.S. congressional fund and a $1.25 billion U.S. Exim Bank approval for Reko Diq.
U.S. officials raised collaboration on digital finance built on a stablecoin framework and highlighted artificial intelligence as a strategic priority, with a potential visit by Under Secretary Jacob Helberg noted by participants.
Sources said Gill sought favorable consideration of Starlink’s license application in Pakistan, and media accounts emphasize that discussions are ongoing with no final agreements announced.