ISLAMABAD – In their first official phone call, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed to address a key issue impacting US-Pakistan relations—the abandoned military equipment left in Afghanistan after the American withdrawal.
The Foreign Office confirmed that the discussion covered trade, regional security, and economic cooperation. Both leaders emphasized strengthening diplomatic ties. Dar raised Pakistan’s desire for balanced cooperation. Rubio welcomed the proposal.
A statement from the US State Department echoed similar sentiments. The two diplomats discussed the heavy tariffs recently imposed by Washington on Pakistani exports. They explored ways to create a fair and equal trade framework within broader US-Pakistan relations.
Secretary Rubio also proposed future collaboration on critical minerals. He expressed interest in creating more business opportunities for American firms operating in Pakistan.
The foreign minister stressed the importance of trade and counter-terrorism in the relationship. He highlighted Pakistan’s military efforts from 2013 to 2018. Dar said the country paid a steep price in blood and resources during its war on terrorism.
Rubio acknowledged Pakistan’s counter-terror operations and agreed to boost joint efforts in this area. He called for deeper ties based on trade and economic development. Both parties showed commitment to advancing US-Pakistan relations through mutual interests.
They also touched on the issue of military hardware left in Afghanistan. A 2022 US Defence Department report revealed that equipment worth $7 billion remained. The Taliban captured most of it during their swift takeover in August 2021.
While US troops tried to destroy much of the gear before departure, large amounts still ended up in Taliban hands. Despite international appeals, the Taliban refused to return the machinery. Instead, they demanded newer and more advanced weapons to fight Daesh.
Pakistan, which has seen a rise in terrorism since the Taliban took over, is directly affected. In January 2025, terror attacks in Pakistan jumped by 42%. These figures were released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).
Dar said US-Pakistan relations should focus on security and economic stability. Rubio agreed and called for continued dialogue. He assured Dar that future cooperation would revolve around investment and trade.
The high-level phone call came just days after US President Donald Trump announced new import tariffs on Pakistani goods. Exports from Pakistan to the US now face a 29% duty, up from the earlier 10%. The increased tariff takes full effect on April 9.
In response, both Dar and Rubio agreed to work closely on economic matters. Their conversation signaled a renewed attempt to stabilize and improve US-Pakistan relations amid trade and security challenges.
