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PAKISTAN INKS MOU WITH US COMPANY FOR CRITICAL MINERALS MINING Tuesday, 9 September, 2025 | 15 Rabiul Awal, 1447
Rs 50.00 | Vol XVI No 62 | 44 Pages | Islamabad Edition
DEAL TO HELP COMMENCE PAKISTANI EXPORTS OF ANTIMONY, g US STRATEGIC METALS SIGNS COPPER, GOLD, TUNGSTEN, AND RARE EARTH MINERALS MOU WITH PAKISTAN’S FWO
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ISLAMABAD
staff report
high-level US delegation, including United States Strategic Metals (USSM) and MotaEngil, renowned global companies in the mining and infrastructure sector, on Monday called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House and discussed prospects for mining in Pakistan. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Federal Ministers were also present in the meeting. The delegation is visiting Pakistan to explore opportunities for expansion of mining operations in Pakistan and assess potential for value addition in mineral resources and development of supporting infrastructure. The delegation held high-level meetings with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), the Minister of Petroleum, and the Minister of Commerce, and they were briefed on Pakistan’s vast mineral reserves, including copper, gold, and rare earth elements. The visiting companies expressed readiness to invest in establishing valueaddition facilities within the country, enhancing mineral processing capacity, and developing large-scale infrastructure projects linked to the mining sector. In this context, two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) focusing on the
development and processing of critical minerals, including rare earth elements (REEs), and logistics services were signed between the two governments. The Frontier Works Organization (FWO)—Pakistan’s largest miner of critical minerals—signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with United States Strategic Metals (USSM), a leading processor, recycler, and miner based in St. Louis, Missouri. The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration across a range of critical minerals essential for the defence, aerospace, and technology industries. The partnership will begin immediately with the export of readily available minerals from Pakistan, including antimony, copper, gold, tungsten, and rare
earth elements. This cooperation lays the foundation for scaling up toward the establishment of a USSM proprietary, highly flexible polymetallic refinery in Pakistan. The refinery will produce intermediate and finished products dedicated to meeting the rapidly growing demand of the U.S. market. The first phase of this deal envisages approximately $500 million of investments in Pakistan’s critical minerals sector. This collaboration further strengthens the enduring bilateral relationship between Pakistan and the United States while unlocking new opportunities for sustainable growth, technology transfer, and job creation. The next steps for the MoU include forming dedicated teams to explore the
full potential of Pakistan’s vast resource base, identifying critical minerals for immediate export, and building an anchor position for a long-term partnership in exploration, extraction, and processing. Importantly, the cooperation will prioritize sustainability, profitability, and environmental responsibility to ensure benefits for the people of both nations. In addition, both parties will also explore innovative financing and digital solutions such as tokenization of critical minerals, enabling global investors to participate in Pakistan’s mineral wealth and further accelerating transparency, liquidity, and value creation across the sector. Similarly, the National Logistics Corporation of Pakistan signed an MoU with Mota-Engil Group which is a global leader in engineering and construction and is actively working on new opportunities to expand its footprint across West Asia. The current survey of opportunities in Pakistan aims to identify priority markets where Mota-Engil can align with government visions and private sector initiatives. The Group seeks to build long-term partnerships that leverage its global know-how while creating value locally through job creation, technology transfer, and sustainable development. The visit of the delegation and signing of the aforementioned MoUs mark a milestone in Pakistan’s efforts to attract global investment in the mining and logistics sectors.
Flood crises in Punjab worsens as Sindh teeters on the brink ISLAMABAD mian abrar
The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Monday said flooding in major rivers across the province remains at critical levels, warning of further rise in water flows until September 9 due to ongoing rains in the upper catchment areas. The Flood Forecasting Division has issued a warning due to recent surges in major rivers, indicating high to very high flood levels at several barrages and headworks in Punjab and Sindh. On the Ravi, a high flood is passing through Balloki, where inflow and outflow were recorded at 139,030 cusecs. At Sidhnai, the situation is no different, with water measured at 120,597 cusecs. Closer to Lahore, Shahdara is facing a medium flood with 90,411 cusecs rushing downstream. In Kasur, Ganda Singh Wala is under severe strain as the flow has risen to 319,295 cusecs. Down the Sutlej, Sulemanki has also been classified in the high-flood category, with a recorded inflow and outflow of 135,832 cusecs. The Chenab is carrying massive volumes, with Trimmu Barrage recording a dangerous 543,579 cusecs. Meanwhile, at Head Punjnad, inflow and outflow have climbed to 609,669 cusecs, a level categorised as a high flood. On the Indus, the Guddu Barrage is now in medium
Bilawal urges electricity bill waiver for flood-affected farmers in Punjab KARACHI
staff report
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal BhuttoZardari has called for the federal government to waive electricity bills for farmers and flood victims in Punjab, as he visited the flood-affected regions on Monday. In Muzaffargarh, Bilawal stressed the need for an agricultural emergency to support farmers devastated by the ongoing floods. He also recommended that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif use the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) to provide financial assistance to flood victims. Bilawal pointed out that BISP had been effectively used during previous crises, including the 2022 floods and the COVID-19 pandemic, to offer monetary help. The PPP leader also urged the Foreign Office to secure international aid, calling on UN agencies operating in Pakistan to contribute to relief and rehabilitation efforts. Additionally, Bilawal called for political unity, urging all parties to set aside their differences and join forces to tackle the current crisis. However, when questioned by reporters about the shortage of boats, life jackets, and flood camps, he did not provide specific solutions, only stating that the state was doing its best in the face of this unprecedented disaster. The recent floods have claimed over 900 lives, devastated crops, and displaced thousands across Punjab and Sindh. Water inflows in the Indus River are expected to rise, with high flows forecast at the Guddu barrage in the coming days.
flood, taking in 401,352 cusecs and releasing 377,226 cusecs downstream. Sukkur, long considered the river’s choke point, is under low flood with inflows of 338,050 cusecs and outflows of 299,200. Further south, Kotri is also feeling the strain, recording 243,743 cusecs in and 231,763 cusecs out. Officials say the relentless volumes coursing through the system are testing riverbanks and embankments to their limits. Local administrations have been told to stay on their toes, as the water shows no signs of easing just yet. According to a PDMA spokesperson, the Sutlej River at Ganda Singh Wala is experiencing very high flood levels, with water discharge recorded at 319,000 cusecs. At Head Sulemanki, the Sutlej is flowing in high flood at 135,000 cusecs. In the Chenab River, water flow at Marala has reached 84,000 cusecs, while Khanki Headworks is witnessing low flood with a flow of 147,000 cusecs. At Trimmu Headworks, the Chenab is flowing at 543,000 cusecs, posing a major risk. The Ravi River at Shahdara is in high flood with 90,000 cusecs, while Head Sadhnai is recording a high flood of 123,000 cusecs. “The risk of very high flood levels in Punjab’s rivers will persist until September 9,” PDMA spokesperson Irfan Ali Kathia said, adding that continued rainfall in upper regions could push river flows even higher.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to expedite ongoing relief operations and ensure complete preparedness for potential flood situations due to rising water levels in the rivers. The prime minister, chairing a meeting to review ongoing rescue and relief operations in flood-hit areas, instructed to ensure early warnings and timely evacuation measures for populations near rivers and areas at risk. The NDMA chairman briefed the prime minister on the current situation of flooding in rivers, the status of rising water level in rivers, and the relief operations for flood-affected people across the country. Prime Minister Shehbaz directed the NDMA to maintain full coordination with the provincial governments and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities. He also instructed to intensify the search for missing persons in the flood-hit areas. The prime minister was also briefed on the displacement of people due to floods and the ongoing rescue operations. The participants of the meeting were apprised of the severe flooding conditions in the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers at Trimmu Barrage, Panjnad Barrage, Head Balloki, Head Sidhnai, Ganda Singh Wala, Head Sulemanki, and Head Islam. Reports indicated that convoys of relief goods were continuously being sent to the flood-hit areas.
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President Zardari awards Nishan-e-Imtiaz to Emirati naval chief, highlights bilateral ties Contact: 0307-7338168
irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk
ISLAMABAD
staff report
The Commander of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Naval Forces, Major General Humaid Abdulla Alremeithi, was awarded the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) by President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday during a special investiture ceremony at the Presidency. The award recognizes his outstanding services and contributions and underscores the strong fraternal ties between Pakistan and the UAE. A press release from the President’s Secretariat noted that President Zardari lauded Maj Gen Alremeithi’s professional expertise and highlighted that the commander’s visit reflects the enduring cooperation and shared commitment between the two nations. The president also expressed appreciation for the confidence the UAE Navy places in Pakistan’s naval capabilities and reiterated Islamabad’s resolve to further strengthen bilateral relations in defence, security, and other fields. During the ceremony, President Zardari highlighted the historical and people-to-people bonds between Pakistan and the UAE, noting that these relations have grown stronger over time. He emphasized Pakistan’s readiness to continue collaborating with its Emirati counterpart, including supporting manpower requirements of the UAE Navy in the future. Maj Gen Alremeithi, who has spent four years in Pakistan while graduating from the Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi, expressed his close ties with the country. He also met with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, at the Joint Staff Headquarters in Rawalpindi, where he was received with a guard of honour. The two officials held detailed discussions on professional matters, reviewing global and regional strategic developments, and stressed the importance of bilateral defence and security cooperation, particularly in the maritime domain, to maintain regional peace and stability. The UAE commander also praised the professional standards and achievements of the Pakistan Armed Forces, commending their sacrifices in combating terrorism and their ongoing contributions toward regional security. Pakistan and the UAE share close diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties. The UAE is one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners in the Middle East and a key source of remittances, with a significant Pakistani expatriate population residing and working there.