WASHINGTON, Oct 22 (Special Correspondent) – The Embassy of Pakistan in Washington DC hosted the “Pakistan-US Tech Connect 2026” on 22 October 2026, facilitating direct engagement between leading Pakistani technology firms and their American counterparts, where Pakistan’s Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh called for pivoting from traditional security concerns toward technological alignment. This initiative, designed as an executive networking forum to bolster Pakistan US tech collaboration, was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication, Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs (OPEN) Global, and the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB).

Key Points

• Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh urged a strategic transition from counterterrorism to information technology partnership.
• The “Pakistan-US Tech Connect 2026” featured 16 premier Pakistani technology companies showcasing expertise in AI, fintech, and cloud computing.
• Sindh Governor Syed Nehal Hashmi attended the event alongside US technology firms and Pakistani-American business leaders.
• The forum emphasized moving away from routine IT services toward building proprietary intellectual property and scalable product innovations.

Strategic Pivot Toward Technological Cooperation

The event aimed to unlock potential partnerships across enterprise solutions, digital transformation, 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.

Ambassador Sheikh on the Pakistan Moment

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. 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. Underscoring a shift in bilateral priorities, he 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,” he added. Additionally, Ambassador Sheikh reflected on Pakistan’s role as an emerging factor of regional and global stability, noting that the country’s potential is most pronounced in the digital domain.

Advancing Pakistan US Tech Collaboration

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 toward building proprietary intellectual property (IP) and scalable product innovations. Concluding the event, Ambassador Sheikh reiterated that “Pakistan has arrived,” declaring the period as the “Pakistan moment.” 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the goal of the Pakistan-US Tech Connect 2026?

The event aims to facilitate direct engagement between Pakistani and US technology firms, focusing on enterprise solutions, digital transformation, and strategic IT collaboration.

What shift in bilateral relations did Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh propose?

Ambassador Sheikh proposed a transition from “CT to IT,” moving the bilateral focus from counterterrorism toward technological alignment and information technology cooperation.