Islamabad Offers U.S. Plan to Build New Port on the Arabian Sea

Pakistan has proposed that the U.S. build and operate a port in Pasni, aiming to grant Washington access to Pakistan’s critical mineral reserves.

Advisers to Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, have reportedly proposed that the United States construct and operate a port in the coastal city of Pasni, located near Gwadar in Balochistan province.

According to a report by the Financial Times published on Friday, October 3, the proposal aims to provide the U.S. with access to Pakistan’s vast reserves of critical minerals, including copper, lithium, and rare earth elements vital to modern technology and defense industries.

Pasni, a small port town on Pakistan’s southwestern coast near the borders of Afghanistan and Iran, holds significant geopolitical value due to its proximity to key maritime trade routes in the Arabian Sea. Analysts say the location could serve as a strategic alternative to China’s presence at Gwadar Port, which forms part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.

The move is seen as part of Islamabad’s broader attempt to balance its strategic partnerships between Washington and Beijing. Pakistan’s military leadership has recently sought to strengthen economic and defense ties with the U.S. while maintaining cooperation with China on infrastructure and energy projects.

The discussions also follow remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously signaled interest in collaborating with Pakistan on energy exploration and mineral development, viewing it as a potential counterweight to China’s expanding influence in South Asia.

The proposal, if realized, could reshape regional dynamics by positioning Pasni as a new hub for U.S.-Pakistan cooperation in trade and resource extraction. However, it may also heighten geopolitical tensions with China and Iran, both of which view the Balochistan coast as strategically sensitive.

Analysts caution that while the plan underscores Pakistan’s strategic importance, its success would depend on political stability, investor confidence, and the government’s ability to manage competing regional interests without triggering fresh security challenges.

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