• Advisers to Pakistan's army chief have approached U.S. officials with a plan to build and run a port at Pasni on the Arabian Sea, the Financial Times reported.
• The blueprint envisions American investors building and operating a terminal to access Pakistan's critical minerals, with a rail link to mineral-rich western provinces; the plan excludes the use of the port for U.S. military bases.
• Pasni lies in Gwadar District, Balochistan, and the initiative follows a September White House meeting between Pakistani leaders and President Trump; Islamabad says the plan is not official government policy.
• Estimated cost is about <$strong>1.2 billion, with financing from a mix of Pakistani federal funds and U.S.-backed development finance.

Advisers to Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir have approached U.S. officials with an offer to build and run a port on the Arabian Sea at Pasni, a plan reported by the Financial Times. The Pasni port concept would turn a coastal town into a hub for critical minerals, with a rail link to western mines and the blueprint stating the port would not host U.S. military bases. Pasni sits in Gwadar District, Balochistan. The reporting underscores a push to diversify Pakistan’s economic and strategic options as described by the FT and corroborated by other outlets. according to reuters, scmp, indiatimes and indiatimes.

The Financial Times report also notes the plan is not official government policy and was shared with Munir ahead of his White House meeting with President Donald Trump in September; Islamabad’s prime minister had met with Trump in September seeking investment in agriculture, technology, mining and energy. The White House and Pakistani foreign affairs offices did not immediately respond, and Reuters could not independently verify the report. The broader context describes a diplomatic tilt with the Trump administration, including ongoing collaboration and a public framing of relations as evolving rather than settled. according to reuters, scmp, indiatimes and indiatimes.

The Pasni port blueprint includes a railway to transport minerals from Pakistan’s interior to the coast, linking to mines such as Reko Diq, developed by Canada’s Barrick Mining. The project is estimated at $1.2 billion, with funding to come from a mix of Pakistani federal resources and U.S.-backed development finance. Supporters argue the plan would broaden Pakistan’s strategic options while balancing ties with China, the United States, Iran and Saudi Arabia, especially after a security pact with Riyadh. The proposal flags Gwadar-related dual-use concerns but states there would be no direct basing by the U.S. on Pasni. according to reuters, scmp, indiatimes and indiatimes.

Missouri-based US Strategic Metals (USSM) has shown early interest, signing an MOU in September with Pakistan’s military engineering corps. USSM’s commercial director Mike Hollomon is quoted saying the field marshal emphasized that “Pakistan has been an ally of the US for a long time and minerals is a way to rekindle a dormant friendship.” Late last month, Pakistan shipped a small consignment of minerals to USSM; Pakistan’s minerals sector accounts for about 3% of GDP, with large untapped reserves. A Pakistani scientist leader framed the project as a “reset with America through economic ties.” The plan, described by FT, also notes potential Belt and Road dual-use concerns and highlights the ongoing push to diversify beyond China. according to reuters, scmp, indiatimes and indiatimes.