Ambassador Sheikh outlines shift toward technology in Pakistan-US relations

WASHINGTON, Oct 22 (APP): The Embassy of Pakistan in Washington DC hosted the 'Pakistan-US Tech Connect 2026' to facilitate direct engagement between leading Pakistani technology firms and their American counterparts, wherein Pakistan's Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh called for pivoting from traditional security concerns toward technological alignment. The event was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication, OPEN Global, and the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB). Designed as an executive networking forum, the event aimed to unlock potential partnerships across enterprise solutions, digital transformation, product development, and strategic IT collaboration. The delegation showcased senior leadership from 16 premier Pakistani tech companies operating in cutting-edge sectors, including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, fintech, and healthcare technology. The gathering drew prominent attendees, including Sindh Governor Syed Nehal Hashmi, representatives from major US technology and financial firms, multilateral institutions, government agencies, and leaders from the Pakistani American business community. Through structured executive panel discussions and curated business-to-business (B2B) sessions, the initiative sought to convert Pakistan's expanding IT export capacity into sustainable commercial relationships, elevating technology into a core pillar of Pakistan-US economic engagement. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh welcomed participants and outlined the objective of the tech series as a pivotal move to position Pakistan as an impactful contributor and US partner within the fast-evolving global technological landscape. 'The current showcase focuses on presenting top-tier Pakistani firms and aims to display the 'best and brightest' from the Pakistani tech industry directly to stakeholders in Washington, D.C.,' Ambassador Sheikh said. 'The showcasing aims to display Pakistani tech firms' IT prowess and its ability to meet international standards in evolving fields like AI.' Emphasizing the historical depth of bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United States, Ambassador Sheikh described the partnership as inherently consequential and presented IT partnership as the next promising prospect in that context. 'Each time Pakistan and the United States have come together, we have produced results, and results not only for ourselves in the bilateral domain, but results for the whole world,' he observed. Underscoring a strategic shift in bilateral priorities, Ambassador Sheikh called for pivoting from traditional security concerns toward technological alignment. 'A key goal is to make a transition in the bilateral relationship from 'CT to IT,' moving from counterterrorism to information technology. This is what we have to work on because this is going to yield a mutually rewarding partnership in the future,' he added. Additionally, Ambassador Sheikh reflected on Pakistan's role as an emerging factor of regional and global stability. 'It is the Pakistan moment. We had that potential all along, but Pakistan's potential is most pronounced in the digital domain. Over the past 16, 17 months, we have seen the best of Pakistan's defense and diplomacy. We have emerged as a factor of stability as well as a stabilizing agent, a stabilizing force, a stabilizing nation,' he noted. In his address, Sindh Governor Syed Nehal Hashmi stressed that US enterprises seek trusted partners capable of delivering long-term value. Consequently, he urged the participating delegation to convert digital capabilities into tangible outcomes, including qualified business opportunities, pilot projects, and high-value contracts. Furthering this vision, Chief Executive Officer of PSEB Faisal Jeddy, CEO of Ignite Bilal Abbasi, and President of OPEN Global DC Chapter Hassan Khalid highlighted the swift expansion of Pakistan's technology domain. They emphasized that while Pakistan offers vast technical talent, the United States presents expansive market opportunities for scalable growth. During panel discussions, speakers addressed a strategic transition within the sector, moving away from routine IT services and labor arbitrage toward building proprietary intellectual property (IP) and scalable product innovations. This transition has positioned Pakistan as a high-value, competitive collaborator in the global tech ecosystem. Concluding the event, Ambassador Sheikh reiterated that 'Pakistan has arrived,' declaring the period as the 'Pakistan moment' while praising the delegation companies as talented representatives of the nation's potential. Inviting international partners to 'come and profit from the promise of Pakistan,' Ambassador Sheikh noted that while competitive costs initially attract businesses, the high performance of Pakistani tech talent ensured long-term commitment. He called upon attendees to leverage the platform to actively participate in redefining, reimagining, and rebranding Pakistan on the world stage.