Pakistan is courting the United States with an ambitious proposal to build a new deep-sea port on the Arabian Sea, aiming to strengthen its economic ties with Washington and diversify its strategic partnerships beyond China.
According to diplomatic sources, the port project is being presented as an alternative to Gwadar, which is heavily influenced by Beijing under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The proposed site is believed to be Pasni, Balochistan, a coastal city strategically located between Gwadar and Karachi.
Pakistani officials argue that the new port would serve as a gateway for mineral exports, particularly from the country’s rich copper and gold reserves in Reko Diq and other Balochistan mines. With global demand for critical minerals rising, Pakistan hopes the project will attract American investment and align with U.S. efforts to secure supply chains outside Chinese influence.
The initiative comes at a time when Islamabad’s relations with Washington have been gradually warming, especially after Pakistan offered logistical and diplomatic support on regional issues. For the U.S., the project could provide a counterbalance to China’s stronghold in Gwadar and the wider Indian Ocean.
However, analysts caution that the plan faces significant challenges. Political instability, security risks in Balochistan, and competition from existing Chinese-backed infrastructure may complicate the execution. Moreover, Washington has yet to publicly endorse the proposal, and U.S. officials are said to be assessing its feasibility.
If successful, the port could reshape Pakistan’s maritime strategy, reduce reliance on China, and open new corridors for international trade. It would also mark a major shift in U.S.-Pakistan relations, potentially moving them from a security-based partnership towards a more economic and strategic alignment.
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