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KARACHI: Senior Pakistani and US officials on Friday discussed next steps in economic investment and the development of a joint counterterrorism strategy in meetings aimed at deepening economic and defense ties between the two countries.

Pakistan’s commerce ministry said earlier this week it had finalized a strategy to implement a recently negotiated tariff deal with the United States that Islamabad hopes will unlock US investment.

Announced last month, the agreement set a reduced tariff rate of 19 percent on Pakistani imports — the lowest in the region — and is expected to revive bilateral trade while opening the way for US firms to participate in various Pakistani economic sectors.

In talks with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker in Islamabad, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said Pakistan’s economy had “turned a corner” after a prolonged downturn, a shift recognized by three major international rating agencies.

“The Minister emphasized that the [trade] agreement would usher in a new era of economic collaboration — particularly in energy, mines and minerals, IT, cryptocurrency and other sectors — while expanding market access, attracting investment and fostering cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” the finance ministry said in a statement released after the meeting.

“He expressed hope that the deal would lead to increased US investment in Pakistan’s infrastructure, development projects and digital and mining sectors, which were ready for tangible action and progress,” it added.

Aurangzeb thanked Washington for its continued economic and development support and recalled recent meetings in the US with senior officials to finalize the trade deal.

In a video message after last month’s announcement, he had noted Pakistan’s goal was always to move “beyond the immediate trade imperative,” calling the US-Pakistan pact “a real win-win situation” for both nations.

Pakistan, he added, had “come a long way” in its overall strategic partnership with the US.

COUNTERTERRORISM PLAN

Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met US Coordinator for Counterterrorism Gregory LoGerfo in Islamabad to discuss closer cooperation to fight militant violence, and to work jointly on border security and anti-narcotics efforts.

Pakistan and the US have shared a defense relationship dating back to the Cold War era, collaborating over decades on regional stability and counterinsurgency in Afghanistan.

The latest talks between Naqvi and LoGerfo came days after Washington designated the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and its Majeed Brigade faction as “terrorist” organizations.

Both have carried out coordinated attacks in Balochistan targeting security personnel, civilians and foreign nationals working on major development projects.

“Naqvi added that counterterrorism dialogue will help in creating a joint strategy,” the interior ministry said in a statement. “He termed the US decision to designate the banned BLA and banned Majeed Brigade as Foreign terrorist organizations a commendable step, expressing hope that Pakistan-US cooperation will yield positive results in eliminating terrorism.”

Naqvi also noted that bilateral ties had improved since President Donald Trump took office, citing transparency, mutual trust and cooperation as the hallmarks of the relationship and called it an opportune time to strengthen engagement in all areas.

PESHAWAR: At least 146 people were killed in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and eight in Gilgit-Baltistan over the past 24 hours as rains and floods triggered multiple incidents, while a government helicopter carrying relief goods crashed in bad weather, killing five crew members, officials said on Friday.

Pakistan, which contributes less than 1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Nationwide deaths since this year’s monsoon season began in late June have crossed 460, according to an Arab News tally, evoking memories of 2022 when catastrophic monsoon rains and glacial melt submerged a third of the country, killing more than 1,700 people and causing over $30 billion in damages.

Scientists say rising temperatures are making South Asia’s monsoon rains more erratic and intense, increasing the risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.

“During the last 24 hours, 146 people have died and 15 have been injured in different incidents due to rains and flash floods,” the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said in its preliminary report about the situation in KP province.

“Among the deceased are 126 men, 8 women and 12 children, while the injured include 12 men, 2 women and 1 child.”

The authority said 35 houses were damaged, including 28 partially and seven completely destroyed. The incidents were reported in Swat, Buner, Bajaur, Torghar, Upper and Lower Dir, Mansehra, Shangla and Battagram districts.

“The most affected districts due to heavy rains and flash floods are Buner, Bajaur and Battagram, where rescue operations are still ongoing,” the PDMA said. “Two helicopters have been dispatched to Bajaur and Buner for rescue operations.”

Later, the KP administration confirmed in an official statement that “a provincial government MI-17 helicopter carrying relief goods for rain-affected areas of Bajaur crashed due to bad weather.”

“As a result of this tragic accident, five crew members, including two pilots, were martyred,” Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said in a statement.

Gandapur announced a day of mourning on Saturday, with the national flag to be flown at half-mast across the province.

Relief teams have been dispatched to the crash site and the bodies of the martyrs will be laid to rest with full state honours.

The PDMA also warned that the current spell of heavy rains was expected to continue intermittently until August 21 and directed all district administrations to take precautionary measures.

“PDMA, all relevant institutions, relief teams, district administration and Rescue 1122 are in contact and monitoring the situation,” the statement added.

Separately, officials in the mountainous Gilgit-Baltistan region confirmed eight deaths in Ghizer and Diamer districts after homes were swept away by floods and landslides.