(Publish from Houston Texas USA)
(By: Asim Siddiqui: Washington DC: December 31, 2025)
Background
The year 2025 quietly altered the direction of Pakistan–United States relations. For years, the dominant narrative suggested that Pakistan had been sidelined and that bilateral ties had largely faded. However, the facts of 2025 tell a very different story. Washington’s doors reopened, security cooperation was restored, counterterrorism coordination resurfaced, and—most importantly—the focus of engagement shifted away from aid toward economics and trade.
January–February 2025 | Quiet Reset Begins
⦁ Behind-the-scenes diplomatic contacts resumed
⦁ Initial discussions on security and economic stabilization
⦁ Signs of cautious but positive improvement in relations
March 2025 | Washington Outreach
⦁ Noticeable increase in Pakistan’s diplomatic activity in Washington
⦁ Focus on trade, energy, and minerals
⦁ Counterterrorism discussions reactivated at the working level
April 2025 | Reko Diq in the Spotlight
⦁ Reports emerged of more than $2 billion in financing needs for the Reko Diq project
⦁ Interest from the U.S. Export-Import Bank became public
⦁ Minerals emerged as a strategic pillar of Pakistan–U.S. relations
May 2025 | Trade Talks Gain Momentum
⦁ Pakistan stated it was “close to a trade agreement.”
⦁ U.S. officials offered no clear timeline
⦁ Reciprocal tariffs and trade balance dominated discussions
June 2025 | Turning Point
⦁ June 18: President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan’s Army Chief,
⦁ Field Marshal General Asim Munir, at the White House
⦁ A rare and unprecedented engagement
⦁ The tone of bilateral relations shifted noticeably
July 2025 | Defense Dialogue Expanded
⦁ Announcement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
⦁ Agreement to broaden dialogue across defense, trade and economy, energy, security, and counterterrorism
⦁ Relations expanded to an institutional level for the first time
August 2025 | Economic Track Deepens
⦁ Asian Development Bank (ADB) financing package announced
⦁ Continued engagement between U.S. financial institutions and the Reko Diq project
⦁ Minerals and hydrocarbons identified as the core of future cooperation
September 2025 | Trade Numbers Speak
⦁ U.S. trade deficit with Pakistan narrowed
⦁ Increase in U.S. exports to Pakistan
⦁ Clear indicators of improving trade balance
October 2025 | Security Alignment
The United States designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Majeed Brigade as terrorist organizations
⦁ Pakistan welcomed the move
⦁ Counterterrorism cooperation became visibly stronger
November 2025 | The Trump–Munir Channel
Reports highlighted a close working relationship between President Trump and Field Marshal Asim Munir
⦁ Indications of a third meeting within six months
⦁ The direct leadership-level channel further strengthened
December 2025 | Year-End Assessment
⦁ Relations more active than in previous years
⦁ Trade, not aid, emerged as the central pillar
⦁ Security and economics became the two foundational tracks
⦁ A new, pragmatic model of engagement took shape
