Pakistan and the United States are collaborating to develop a new port, with current known information

Last week, the Financial Times reported that Pakistan has proposed to the United States to jointly build and operate the Pasni deep-water port located on the coast of the Arabian Sea. If this plan is implemented, it could completely change the geopolitical landscape of the entire region.

Key Content of the Plan

It is reported that the advisory team of the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, Asim Munir, has submitted the development plan for the Pasni Port to the U.S. The project, estimated at about 1.2 billion USD, is planned to be funded by the Pakistani government and an American development agency. Key supporting projects include building a railway branch line to transport domestic copper, antimony and other key minerals to the coast for export. Notably, the proposal explicitly excludes the possibility of building a direct U.S. military base.

Strategic Location Advantages

Pasni is a small fishing port in Balochistan province, whose strategic value is highlighted by its geographical coordinates: approximately 160 kilometers from the Iranian border, and only 110 kilometers from the China's "Belt and Road" key project, Gwadar Port. The city currently has infrastructure including a fishing harbor, a civil-military airport, and a reservoir to solve water supply problems. In addition, the largest island in Pakistan, Astara, adjacent to it, may be developed as an independent naval base in the future.

Geopolitical Rivalry and Potential Risks

This proposal reflects Pakistan's diplomatic strategy of seeking balance between major powers, aiming to balance Sino-U.S. relations through diversified cooperation. For the United States, the Pasni Port could become an important commercial hub in areas where China's influence continues to rise.

However, the project faces multiple challenges:

Natural conditions limit: The existing port was built in the last century, and can only accommodate fishing boats. The siltation problem that emerged in the early 21st century has made it impossible for deep-water ships to dock, and the technical and economic feasibility of dredging works remains questionable;

Official statements are doubtful: Senior U.S. government officials stated that the president and his advisors have not discussed such projects, and the Pakistani authorities have also denied the relevant plans;

Safety situation is severe: Separatist forces in Balochistan are active, opposing foreign investment in resource development, casting a shadow over the implementation of the project;

Currently, the initiative is still under discussion, but it has clearly shown Pakistan's urgent desire to turn its geographical advantages into economic and strategic benefits.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1845821134343563/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.