Rabbani Calls for Parliamentary Briefing on US Policy

Raza Rabbani, a distinguished leader within the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and former Senate chairman, has appealed to the coalition government to promptly inform the parliament regarding the multifaceted aspects of its revised US policy.

In a recent statement, Rabbani emphasized the public’s entitlement to comprehensive information about the direction and specifics of foreign policy. He underscored historical precedents, suggesting the US has not consistently proven to be a dependable ally.

Addressing the agreement finalized with US Strategic Metals (USSM), an American metals firm, concerning the acquisition of minerals, Rabbani voiced his concern that details of agreements pertaining to valuable minerals were being disseminated through the media rather than directly from the government, which he deemed regrettable.

The PPP stalwart further asserted that the provinces, as primary stakeholders, should have been engaged in discussions through the Council of Common Interests. He noted the government’s apparent disregard for Article 172 of the Constitution, which grants provinces a 50% ownership stake in natural resources.

He highlighted the provinces’ previous rejection of the federal government’s proposed mineral legislation. Consequently, he urged the government to promptly brief parliament on all dimensions of its evolving US policy.

In recent times, relations between Washington and Islamabad have seen improvement, catalyzed by intervention from the US President in the conflict between Pakistan and India, which led to a ceasefire.

Following this intervention, the current administration put forward the President’s name for the Nobel Peace Prize.

As part of a memorandum of understanding established with Pakistan in September, USSM is expected to allocate approximately $500 million towards Pakistan’s vital minerals sector. These funds will support the creation of mineral processing and development installations within the country.

The collaboration is slated to commence with the immediate exportation of minerals such as antimony, copper, gold, tungsten, and rare earth elements. This will also lay the foundation for the establishment of USSM’s exclusive poly-metallic refinery in Pakistan, aimed at producing intermediate and finished goods to satisfy escalating demands within the US market.

USSM, headquartered in Missouri, specializes in the production and recycling of crucial minerals, recognized by the United States Department of Energy as fundamental to an array of technologies linked to advanced manufacturing and energy generation.

In a separate development, the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Mota-Engil Group, with the aim of exploring sustained partnerships in engineering and construction. The global entity conveyed its enthusiasm for aligning with Pakistan’s objectives for infrastructure advancement, as well as broadening its footprint in West Asia via localized job creation, technology exchange, and environmentally sound practices.

Pakistan has also finalized a noteworthy accord with the US, securing a reduction in reciprocal tariffs from 29% to 19%.