ISLAMABAD: Former Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani has called on the federal government to immediately brief Parliament regarding the country’s “new U.S. policy,” expressing serious concern over media reports suggesting a possible plan to offer rare mineral resources and the Pasni Port to Washington.
In a press statement, Rabbani said the government has failed to inform the public or Parliament about the evolving dynamics of Pakistan–U.S. relations, stressing that citizens have a right to know the details and direction of the country’s foreign policy.
He reminded that history has shown the United States to be an unreliable ally.
Commenting on reports about selling valuable and rare minerals to the U.S. firm “US Strategic Metals,” Rabbani termed it “unfortunate” that such sensitive information reached the public through the media.
He emphasized that provinces are the real stakeholders in this matter and should have been taken into confidence through the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
Citing Article 172 of the 1973 Constitution, he explained that provinces hold a 50% ownership share in natural resources.
The article specifies that any property without a legitimate owner within a province belongs to that province, and mineral, oil, and natural gas found within or near a province’s territorial waters are jointly owned by the provincial and federal governments.
Rabbani reminded that provincial governments had previously rejected the federally drafted Minerals Act, which sparked opposition, particularly from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, over resource control disputes.
He also voiced alarm over international media reports claiming that the government was considering handing over Pasni Port to the United States — a move he warned could have serious regional repercussions. He urged the government to present a full explanation of its new U.S. policy and its implications before Parliament without delay.
The statement comes at a time when Pakistan and the United States are reportedly entering a new phase of economic and strategic cooperation, with an agreement nearing finalization for the export of rare minerals.
In September, U.S. Strategic Metals (USSM) signed a memorandum of understanding with Pakistan to invest approximately $500 million in mineral processing and development facilities.
The company has already shipped the first batch of mineral samples to the U.S., including antimony, copper concentrate, and rare earth elements such as neodymium and praseodymium, prepared locally with the support of the Frontier Works Organization (FWO).
Meanwhile, the opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has raised objections to these “secret deals,” demanding the government release full details of its agreements with Washington.
PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram referred to reports in Financial Times claiming that the government intended to hand over Pasni Port to the U.S., warning that such one-sided and secretive arrangements could further destabilize the already fragile national situation.
He urged the government to take both Parliament and the public into confidence by disclosing all information related to these deals.
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However, military sources denied the claims made in the Financial Times report, clarifying that the proposal was merely a commercial idea and not an official policy decision.
