ISLAMABAD: US businessman and Texas hedge fund manager Gentry Beach, believed to be close to American President Donald Trump, referred to Pakistan as Washington’s “front face” in the region on Wednesday, saying the future was bright for bilateral ties and economic cooperation between the two countries.
Ties between Pakistan and US, once close allies during the Cold War era and after the September 11, 2001 attacks, remained strained during former president Joe Biden’s presidency. Ties recently suffered after US officials criticized Pakistan for not sufficiently supporting their military efforts against the Taliban following the 9/11 attacks. Islamabad denies sheltering Taliban fighters and helping them regain control of Afghanistan in August 2021.
During Biden’s presidency, Washington also grew close to Islamabad’s arch-rival New Delhi in its bid to counter China’s growing influence in Asia. India is an important member of the “Quad,” a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the US which experts widely believe aims to counter China.
Beach arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday leading a high-level delegation of American investors for a two-day visit to the country. Speaking to reporters, the American businessman criticized the manner Biden pulled American troops out of Pakistan, urging Islamabad to “disregard” the way the previous American administration treated it.
“America cares about Pakistan. And I believe that together we can be very, very strong,” Beach said. “And we need Pakistan. You are our front face in this entire region, very important.”
The American investor said he believed the administrations in both Pakistan and the US would work together to make “a good business environment” between the two countries.
“And Pakistan has something that America needs, and America has something that Pakistan needs,” Beach said. “That’s a wonderful situation for us to both be in.”
Beach said his delegation was interested in investing in Pakistan’s real estate, energy and minerals sectors. He cited Pakistan’s large reserves of gold, platinum and other precious metals. Pakistani officials estimate $6 trillion worth of natural deposits in the country.
He also said the delegation would bring in a team of experts to evaluate Pakistan’s “underappreciated” oil and gas sector, praising the country’s existing gas infrastructure.
Despite Pakistan’s challenging investment climate, the US is one of its largest sources of FDI. US companies have profitable operations across a range of sectors, notably franchise operations, fast-moving consumer goods, agribusiness, and financial services.
Other sectors attracting US interest include ICT, renewable energy and health care services.
‘You are our front face in entire region,’ US businessman close to Trump tells Pakistan
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‘You are our front face in entire region,’ US businessman close to Trump tells Pakistan
- Gentry Beach is on two-day visit to Pakistan leading a delegation of American investors
- Ties between Pakistan, US were strained during ex-American president Biden’s tenure
Pakistan, Qatar seize 4.48 kg cocaine at Islamabad airport in joint anti-narcotics operation
- Female passenger arrested after arriving from Sharjah via Doha, handler detained outside terminal
- Pakistan lies along regional trafficking routes connecting the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities have seized about 4.48 kilograms of cocaine at Islamabad International Airport and arrested two suspects in a joint operation coordinated with Qatar, Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) said on Tuesday.
Pakistan lies along regional trafficking routes connecting the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, with airports — particularly transit hubs such as Doha — frequently used to move narcotics through couriers. Authorities say recent years have seen rising interceptions of cocaine shipments destined for urban markets.
“Following the GCC Conference on Counter Narcotics held at Islamabad in April 2025, Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) Pakistan, in coordination with Qatari counterparts, has conducted a joint intelligence-based operation at Islamabad International Airport,” the ANF said in a statement.
“Operation underscores the effectiveness of enhanced intelligence sharing and operational coordination between Pakistan and Qatar in countering transnational drug trafficking,” the ANF added.
“Cocaine — a highly dangerous and expensive narcotic, often linked to elite consumption — is increasingly being trafficked into Pakistan. ANF remains vigilant in monitoring and disrupting its inflow.”
The force said officers intercepted a Pakistani woman arriving from Sharjah via Doha after receiving shared intelligence and recovered cocaine concealed in a hand-carried trolley bag.
During questioning, investigators said the passenger identified a handler waiting outside the arrivals area, after which authorities detained a second suspect and seized a vehicle.
Investigators said the bag had allegedly been handed to the courier during transit at Hamad International Airport in Doha by a foreign national on instructions from handlers based in the United Arab Emirates, and that coordinated investigations were underway in both countries.
The ANF said the case highlighted cross-border trafficking networks using international transit routes and couriers, adding that the suspects and seized narcotics would remain in custody pending further investigation.
