Pakistan Seeks US Exim Financing for Boeing Jets, Refineries and Reko Diq

Pakistan's finance minister has held talks with the United States Export-Import Bank over possible financing for Boeing aircraft, refinery upgrades and the Reko Diq copper and gold project in southwestern Balochistan, according to an adviser's social media post on Sunday.

Khurram Schehzad, an adviser to the finance minister, said the discussions covered potential US Exim support for the aircraft, which would go to the recently privatised national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines.

Schehzad said the government's role is limited to helping PIA secure financing and suppliers. The state is not purchasing aircraft, he said, and no sovereign guarantee or taxpayer-funded loan has been announced.

He added that US Exim could arrange financing against the aircraft itself and assess the creditworthiness of the airline or lessee, meaning a sovereign guarantee would not be automatic.

The talks also touched on financing for refinery upgrades and for Reko Diq, a major copper and gold mining project in Balochistan.