IN the rugged heartlands of Baluchistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, beneath centuries of dust and silence, Pakistan’s mineral wealth is stirring.

The recent $500 million agreement with the United States is more than a financial transaction—it is a declaration of intent. It signals a shift in how Pakistan sees its subterranean treasures: not merely as commodities to be extracted, but as instruments of sovereignty, diplomacy and national renewal.

The deal, inked between Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization (FWO) and US Strategic Metals, marks a significant moment in the country’s geopolitical calculus. For decades, China has held a dominant position in Pakistan’s mining sector, with deep stakes in projects like Reko Diq and Saindak. Now, the entry of American capital and expertise........

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