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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has dispatched its first ever shipment of rare earth and critical minerals to the United States (US), a Chicago-based US public relations (PR) firm said this week, following a landmark $500 million deal between the two countries.

The development comes weeks after American firm US Strategic Metals (USSM) and Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization (FWO) signed the agreement for collaboration across a range of critical minerals essential for the defense, aerospace and technology industries.

The agreement was signed between American firm US Strategic Metals (USSM) and Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization (FWO) at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad, according to the US embassy in Islamabad.

It aimed to create a framework for joint development of the entire mineral value chain, including exploration, beneficiation, concentrate production and eventual establishment of refineries in Pakistan.

“In a historic milestone for bilateral cooperation, Pakistan has successfully delivered its first batch of enriched rare earth elements and critical minerals to US Strategic Metals (USSM) in the United States,” PR Newswire, an American public relations firm headquartered in Chicago, said this week.

“This achievement inaugurates a $500 million partnership framework, signed earlier this month, and signals the beginning of a new chapter in the Pakistan–US strategic partnership.”

In this first shipment, Pakistan has indigenously sourced and prepared antimony, copper concentrate, rare earth elements with neodymium and praseodymium, strategic and economic significance, according to the PR firm.

With this first delivery and a multi-phase investment framework underway, Pakistan is now positioned as a rising force in the global critical mineral economy.

“We see this as the first step in our exciting journey together with the Frontier Works Organization of Pakistan to provide critical minerals to the United States and bolster economic trade and friendship between our two countries,” USSM CEO Stacy W. Hastie was quoted as saying.
 

COLOMBO: Harleen Deol top-scored with 46 and Richa Ghosh made a quick-fire 35 not out to lift India to a competitive 247 all out against archrival Pakistan in the women's cricket World Cup on Sunday.

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana won the toss and elected to bowl first in the 50-over match at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

Sana and India captain Harmanpreet Kaur did not shake hands during the toss amid political tensions between the two South Asian neighbors. The captains at the recently concluded men’s Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates also did not shake hands at matches between India and Pakistan. India has accused Pakistan of being involved in attacks on tourists that killed dozens. Islamabad denies the allegation.

India openers Pratika Rawal and star batter Smriti Mandhana shared 48 runs for the first wicket before Sana had Mandhana lbw for a 32-ball 23. Rawal made 31 before being bowled by left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal.

Kaur scored 19 before she was caught behind off seam bowler Diana Baig.

Jemimah Rodrigues (32), Deepti Sharma (25) and Sneh Rana (20) all made valuable contributions.

Ghosh hit two sixes and three boundaries in her innings as India scored 44 off the last five overs.

Baig took 4-69 in her 10 overs while Iqbal and Sana had two wickets each.

The match was stopped for 15 minutes because insects were bothering the players

India's Amanjot Kaur, who made a half-century in the tournament opener against Sri Lanka, was ruled out of Sunday's game due to illness. Pakistan made one change from the side that lost to Bangladesh, bringing in Sadaf Shamas in place of Omaima Sohail.