slamabad is keen to improve its relationship with the Trump administration in the United States, particularly, with a focus on investment and counterterrorism.

The efforts from the Pakistani administration began soon after Donald Trump won the elections in November 2024. Before the transfer of power in January, there were many tweets and statements in favour of Imran Khan, the former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader, by some Republican leaders. Some PTI leaders, including some living abroad, had encouraged their followers to expect the US to press the Pakistani government on his behalf.

However, the mood started to change when President Trump thanked Pakistani government in his State of the Union address. Later on April 7, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had his first telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The call was an important stage in recalibrating the sometimes-tense bilateral relations between Pakistan and the US.

Last week, a US delegation, headed by Eric Meyer, the senior official overseeing the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the State Department, visited Pakistan.

The delegation attended the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum for global stakeholders to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan’s emerging minerals sector. Meyer also engaged with senior Pakistani officials to underscore the importance of continued collaboration between Pakistan and the US on counterterrorism.

Later, a delegation of the US Congressmen also met Chief of Army Staff Gen Syed Asim Munir, praised the Pakistan Armed Forces for their critical role in combating terrorism and acknowledged the country’s resilience and strategic potential.

The delegation led by Republican Congressman Jack Bergman and including Thomas Souzzi and Jonathan Jackson, held meetings with the COAS and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The meeting with the COAS emphasised bilateral relations, regional security and defence cooperation.

“Both sides reaffirmed the importance of sustained engagement based on mutual respect, shared values and converging strategic interests,” the Inter Services Public Relations statement read. “The COAS reiterated Pakistan’s desire to deepen and diversify its longstanding partnership with the US in a manner that was mutually beneficial and respectful of each other’s national interests,” the statement read. The US Congressmen highlighted Pakistan’s role in the war against terrorism.

The arrival of the US lawmakers’ delegation on a weeklong visit to Islamabad is considered a positive development towards improving ties with the new US administration. During these engagements, the delegation did not express any interest in Pakistan’s domestic politics. It did not seek a meeting with Imran Khan.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, too, held meetings with key US officials in Washington discussing ways to promote bilateral relations, especially cooperation in the fields of trade and investment.

Earlier, the PTI had hired a lobbying firm and engaged some influential Pakistani-Americans to persuade the Trump administration to use its influence to secure Imran Khan’s release.

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq later told a gathering stated that the delegations from the US had not mentioned Imran Khan in their meetings with the Pakistani officials.

Meanwhile, a group of concerned Pakistani-Americans also visited Pakistan and reportedly met senior army officials and held a meeting with Imran Khan in jail. The effort was meant to be an icebreaker between the establishment and Imran Khan.

“We see some development in Pak-US relations. There seems to be some American interest in minerals and investment but they need to see some policy continuity. On the other hand, we also see progress in counterterrorism engagements,” analyst Zahid Hussain observed, adding, “It seems that Pakistan is not a priority of the Trump administration.”

Interior Minister Naqvi has meanwhile called for closer intelligence sharing and access to advanced counterterrorism technology. Pakistan and the US are scheduled to hold a dedicated counterterrorism dialogue this June.

The writer is a staff member. He can be reached at vaqargillani@gmail.com