Asim Munir’s recent statements come in the wake of growing US interest in Pakistan’s untapped mineral resources, which hold immense importance for global electronics manufacturing and defence production. Washington, facing rising geopolitical tensions, is attempting to reduce its dependence on Beijing’s rare earth supply chains while countering Chinese dominance in this sector. Against this backdrop, Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has unveiled a comprehensive plan to breathe life into the country’s struggling economy. He placed special emphasis on Pakistan’s “rare earth treasure” and simultaneously highlighted the Reko Diq mining initiative in Balochistan, a region often marred by conflict, as a cornerstone project to fill Islamabad’s depleted coffers and generate a steady stream of revenue.
His assertions gained significance, particularly after American officials openly acknowledged their strategic interest in Pakistan’s mineral wealth. These reserves, regarded as essential for building sophisticated defence systems and advanced electronic devices, have drawn Washington’s attention as part of its broader strategy to diversify global supply chains. With the world witnessing economic and political instability, the United States has made clear its intention to lessen reliance on Chinese dominance in rare earth elements, positioning Pakistan as a potentially crucial partner in this shifting geopolitical landscape.
Munir’s views were shared through a column published in Pakistan’s Geo Group by senior journalist Suhail Warraich, who revealed that the Field Marshal personally conveyed these perspectives to him during a private interaction in Brussels, Belgium. According to Warraich, the Army chief displayed optimism regarding Pakistan’s future, projecting that its untapped mineral wealth could bring about not only debt reduction but also long-term prosperity for the nation.
“Pakistan has a rare earth treasure; with this treasure, Pakistan’s debt will also be reduced, and Pakistan will soon be counted among the most prosperous societies,” Munir was quoted as saying in the article published by Jang. His remarks indicated a deep confidence in the transformative potential of mineral exploitation, positioning it as a game-changer for the country’s fragile economy.
The timing of these statements coincides with a notable shift in US foreign policy under President Donald Trump, who has been warming up to Islamabad following his fallout with New Delhi over multiple issues, including India’s heavy imports of discounted Russian oil and its refusal to acknowledge Trump’s claimed mediation role in Operation Sindoor’s ceasefire. Reports in The Washington Post suggest that Trump’s renewed engagement with Pakistan has little to do with oil and everything to do with securing access to valuable minerals and rare earth elements. This policy reorientation was underscored by Islamabad’s receipt of its first-ever shipment of crude oil from the United States under a new trade agreement.
The Trump administration’s pivot toward Pakistan comes at a sensitive moment in South Asian geopolitics. Relations between Washington and New Delhi have hit a rough patch, especially after the United States imposed steep 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports. In this environment of strained ties, Trump’s inclination to forge closer military cooperation with Pakistan and assist in developing its oil fields signals a wider strategic recalibration that could reshape regional alignments.
Within his published comments, Munir also emphasised his intent to maintain equilibrium in Pakistan’s foreign relations, describing his strategy as a delicate counterbalancing act between China and the United States. He reassured that Pakistan had no intention of abandoning one ally for another, suggesting a pragmatic approach where Islamabad seeks to extract maximum benefit while safeguarding its long-standing partnerships.
This optimism, however, is tempered by historical precedent. Pakistan has previously experienced moments of inflated expectations regarding its natural resource potential. In 2019, then-Prime Minister Imran Khan raised hopes by announcing the likelihood of a massive offshore oil discovery, claiming it could be among Asia’s largest finds. These high hopes quickly collapsed when the Petroleum Division confirmed that drilling results failed to meet expectations, and the supposed discovery turned out to be baseless, as documented by the Dawn newspaper.
In addition to outlining his economic and strategic vision, Munir sought to quash ongoing speculation about his political aspirations. According to the column, he firmly rejected the notion of seeking political office, describing himself as solely “a servant of the state,” committed to serving Pakistan from his current role. His remarks attempted to dispel doubts about the military leadership’s potential encroachment into civilian politics.
The article also recounted Munir’s renewed warnings directed at India. He alleged that New Delhi was working deliberately to undermine Pakistan’s internal stability and accused it of attempting to push Taliban elements across the border into Pakistani territory. These warnings reflected his continued focus on external threats and highlighted the tense state of bilateral relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
