Enhancing Economic Ties with Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the UAE to Stimulate Pakistan's Economy and Foster Cooperation, According to the Army Chief
The UAE is Pakistan's third-largest trading partner, following China and the US. This close relationship continues to grow, as evidenced by the recent visit of Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, to the US.
During his visit, Munir spoke to members of the Pakistani community and discussed the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) being implemented with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the US, and China. These MoUs are aimed at promoting economic cooperation and attracting investment.
The army chief emphasised that these visits are crucial to take the relations on a constructive, sustainable, and positive trajectory. In fact, this is his second visit to the US in two months.
Last year, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed MoUs worth $2.8 billion, seven of which have been converted into agreements valued at $560 million. The details of the MoUs with the UAE and China, however, remain unspecified.
The UAE has pledged $10 billion in future investments in priority sectors in Pakistan, but no new information about these investments has been provided.
In a significant move, Pakistan signed an extensive economic cooperation and investment agreement with the US in August 2025. This agreement includes reciprocal tariff reductions and joint development of Pakistan's oil reserves, as well as collaboration in sectors like mining, IT, cryptocurrency, and digital infrastructure.
Under this agreement, the US has lowered import duties on key Pakistani exports such as textiles and agricultural products, while Pakistan rolled back its 5% digital services tax to facilitate U.S. digital firms’ entry. The agreement also focuses on exploring underdeveloped oil reserves mainly in Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with plans for selecting a U.S. oil company to lead this initiative.
Pakistani authorities and business groups have hailed the deal as a significant boost to bilateral trade, job creation, and investment.
The army chief also commented on the conflict in the Middle East, calling the situation in Gaza "a worst human tragedy that has serious implications at both the global and regional levels."
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir's visit to the US comes amidst a series of agreements signed by Pakistan with China, the US, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Central Asian republics to boost trade, economic cooperation, and bilateral investment. The army chief expressed his gratitude to President Trump for his strategic leadership, which stopped the India-Pakistan war and prevented many wars in the world.
During his last visit to the US in June, Munir had an unprecedented lunch meeting with President Donald Trump. This visit further underscores the growing relationship between Pakistan and the US.
[1] Pakistan-US Economic Cooperation and Investment Agreement [2] Pakistan-US Bilateral Trade to Boost After Agreement [3] US Lowering Import Duties on Pakistani Exports [4] Exploring Underdeveloped Oil Reserves with US
