Pasni Port not discussed with any US institution, say security sources

Islamabad: According to security sources, Pakistan has not made any offer regarding the Pasni Port, nor has any such proposal been considered at any official or strategic level.

Sources confirm that no discussions have taken place with the White House or any US institution regarding Pasni Port. Any conversations within the private sector, including contacts with foreign companies, are merely preliminary business-level interactions. These do not constitute official actions, nor do they represent Pakistan’s state policy.

A recent report presented a private and unverified idea as a state-level proposal, which is inaccurate. The media is advised to verify such claims with ISPR to ensure accuracy in reporting on this matter.

According to the sources, the report blurs the line between private communications and official policy, creating the misleading impression that there is institutional support for the idea, which is false. While the report states the project is “not official policy,” it simultaneously suggests that it aligns with the Army Chief’s agenda — a clear contradiction.

The report inconsistently cites both “unofficial and private” and “government sources”, mixing two distinct types of information, thereby creating confusion. Although the report itself acknowledges that the Pasni concept is “private” and “non-governmental,” it still sought confirmation from a senior US official. Including that response in the report falsely gives the impression that an official proposal is under discussion. This style of reporting is contradictory and wrongly links private conversations with state policy.

Linking a private and preliminary commercial idea to foreign policy concerns is excessive and exaggerated. Like other sovereign nations, Pakistan maintains a balanced approach in its international relations. For example, India trades extensively with China, has ties with Russia, cooperates with the US, and maintains contacts with both Iran and Israel. This is known as strategic autonomy.

The same principle should apply to Pakistan. Pakistan’s current initiatives, including CPEC, remain intact. If any new project were ever proposed, it would go through a transparent and institutional process.

Projects of economic or strategic nature are initiated through ministries, regulatory bodies, and cabinet-level mechanisms, not through informal conversations. If any private proposal is found to be in the national or commercial interest, it is processed through formal registration, security and economic vetting, and legal procedures.

In conclusion, no offer regarding Pasni Port has been made by Pakistan. It is merely a concept under informal discussion at a private commercial level and has not reached any official or policy-level consideration.