Washington/Islamabad, July 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a landmark trade agreement with Pakistan to jointly develop what he described as the country’s “massive oil reserves.” The deal, revealed via Trump’s social media platform Truth Social, has been hailed by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as a “historic breakthrough” in bilateral relations. However, the announcement has triggered sharp criticism from Baloch human rights activist Mir Yar Baloch, who claims the reserves are located in Balochistan, not Punjab, and warns of grave geopolitical consequences.

🛢️ The Deal and Its Reception

Trump stated, “We have just concluded a deal with the country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive oil reserves. Who knows, maybe they’ll be selling oil to India someday!”

PM Shehbaz Sharif responded with gratitude, saying the agreement would “expand the frontiers of our enduring partnership” and boost cooperation in energy, IT, and trade sectors.

⚠️ Balochistan’s Sovereignty Dispute

In a strongly worded letter to President Trump, Mir Yar Baloch accused Pakistan’s military leadership of misleading the U.S. about the true geography and ownership of the oil reserves. He asserted that the deposits lie in Balochistan, a region he described as a “historically independent republic under illegal Pakistani occupation.”

“Pakistan’s claim over these resources is not only false but a deliberate attempt to exploit Balochistan’s wealth for political and economic gain,” Baloch wrote.

🔐 Strategic and Security Concerns

Baloch warned that granting access to Pakistan’s radical military and intelligence agency ISI could pose a serious threat to U.S. and global security. He claimed that the exploitation of Balochistan’s trillion-dollar mineral reserves could fuel terrorism and empower jihadist groups hostile to India and Israel.

“Allowing ISI access to these resources is a strategic blunder. It could lead to enhanced terror capabilities and even 9/11-style attacks,” he cautioned.

🌍 Global Implications

The activist emphasized that the issue is not just about Baloch rights, but a matter of international stability. He declared, “Balochistan is not for sale. We will not allow Pakistan, China, or any foreign power to exploit our resources without the clear consent of the Baloch people.”

The Trump administration has yet to respond to the letter, but the controversy adds a new layer of complexity to U.S.–Pakistan relations, especially as India reacts to simultaneous tariff hikes and shifting alliances.