By ABDULLAH Social media and international news outlets lit up this week with talk of a possible new US-backed port in Balochistan. The story, first published by the Financial Times (FT), quickly caught attention due to its geopolitical weight a project that, if true, could reshape Pakistan’s trade routes and foreign relations.
But Pakistan’s security establishment has now stepped forward with a firm clarification: no such official plan exists.
A senior security official confirmed that Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir does not have any “advisers” in an official capacity directly addressing the FT report that mentioned supposed “advisers” linked to him.
“The so-called port plan being discussed in foreign media has never been submitted through official channels,” the official said. “These are exploratory conversations by private individuals or companies and should not be seen as state initiatives.”
In short: there’s no approved project, no formal government decision, and no military involvement.
The Financial Times article claimed that “advisers to Field Marshal Asim Munir” had approached US officials with a plan to develop a new deep-sea terminal in Pasni, Balochistan. The port, according to the report, would be built and run by American investors to help transport Pakistan’s critical minerals, including copper and antimony.
Pasni, a small fishing town on the Arabian Sea, lies just 70 miles from Gwadar — the port that China has developed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This proximity instantly made the story sensitive, as it hinted at a possible US-China competition near Pakistan’s coastline.
However, Pakistani officials quickly dismissed the notion, saying that the “Pasni port” concept has only appeared in private or commercial discussions with groups such as Mota Engil. It has not been reviewed at any government or strategic level.
The FT report also linked the idea to recent high-level meetings in Washington, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Munir met with US President Donald Trump. During that visit, Sharif invited US companies to invest in Pakistan’s technology, agriculture, mining, and energy sectors.
While the meeting did focus on investment opportunities, officials insist that no specific discussion about a new port project took place. The security official clarified, “The report acknowledges that it’s not official policy yet implies a link to the army chief, which is inaccurate.”
Behind the controversy lies Pakistan’s broader goal: reviving its economy by exploring mineral wealth and attracting foreign investment. The country’s vast reserves of copper, gold, and rare earth minerals have caught the world’s eye, especially after global supply chain shifts.
Security sources say Pakistan will continue to explore collaborations with countries like China, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and others, but always “based on national interest and ground realities.”
They also stressed that developing the mineral sector requires patience, large-scale funding, and stable policies not just one-off commercial proposals.
The same security briefing also addressed another sensitive topic whether Pakistan might reconsider its stance on Israel amid shifting Middle East diplomacy. Officials made it clear:
“Pakistan has not changed its longstanding policy on Israel. Recognition is not under consideration.”
They emphasized that Pakistan’s priority remains advocating for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and unhindered humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
Security sources also touched upon Pakistan’s internal challenges, noting that links between political elements and criminal networks have hindered anti-terror efforts.
“Thanks to an effective security strategy, the nexus between smuggling and terrorism has been largely dismantled,” they said. “But a complete solution requires full and sincere implementation of the National Action Plan with every institution playing its role.”
The “Pasni Port” story may have made international headlines, but for now, it’s just an idea not an official plan. What’s clear is that Pakistan is open to foreign investment, including from the US, but will proceed cautiously and on its own terms.
For the average Pakistani, the message is simple: no new American port deal has been signed, and Pakistan’s priorities remain focused on economic recovery, internal stability, and balanced diplomacy with all global powers.