This week, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir in the Oval Office, marking a significant diplomatic moment given that it was the first visit by a Pakistani prime minister to Washington in over six years. This event also highlighted the unusual frequency of meetings between Trump and Munir, a military leader who lacks an official government position, raising questions about the power dynamics within Pakistan.
In recent months, Islamabad has engaged in various diplomatic efforts to improve relations with the U.S., including cooperating on counterterrorism measures and praising Trump’s role in mitigating tensions with India. Notably, Pakistan has nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize based on these efforts.
Key to Pakistan’s outreach appears to be its purported untapped natural resources, especially oil, gas, and minerals. Trump claimed on social media that a deal was reached for U.S. companies to help develop these resources. Natalie Baker, the U.S. chargé d’affaires in Islamabad, confirmed that American firms are interested in exploring Pakistan’s energy sector, aligning with Trump’s vision.
Despite ongoing commitments, experts are skeptical about the existence of substantial oil reserves in Pakistan. Geoscientist Moin Raza Khan noted that, after extensive exploration efforts, large-scale commercially viable oil wells have not been found. Pakistan currently imports over 80% of its oil, which presents a significant financial burden.
Previous exploration initiatives, including a recent attempt by ExxonMobil, yielded no substantial results despite heavy investments. While Pakistan’s ministry of petroleum has advanced plans for new offshore and onshore oil exploration blocks, security challenges in key regions continue to pose risks to foreign investments.
While claims of vast reserves persist, experts caution that significant exploration will require considerable time and investment, with no guarantees of discovery.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/27/pakistan-us-oil-deal-analysis-trump