Washington, D.C. 21 October 2026(Kamran Raja): The Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C., in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, OPEN Global, and the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), hosted Pakistan–US Tech Connect 2026 to strengthen bilateral technology cooperation and promote business partnerships between leading Pakistani technology companies and US enterprises.
The event brought together senior representatives of 16 prominent Pakistani technology firms specializing in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, financial technology, healthcare technology, and other emerging fields. The initiative aimed to expand commercial opportunities through executive-level networking, panel discussions, and business-to-business (B2B) meetings.
The event was attended by Governor of Sindh Syed Nehal Hashmi, representatives of major US technology and financial companies, multilateral institutions, government agencies, and members of the Pakistani-American business community.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh highlighted the potential of technology as a new pillar of Pakistan–US economic relations. He said the initiative was designed to showcase the capabilities of leading Pakistani technology companies and connect them directly with American businesses seeking innovative, reliable, and competitive solutions.
Emphasizing the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and the United States, Ambassador Sheikh noted that bilateral cooperation had historically delivered significant results and that technology offered fresh opportunities to expand this partnership.
He underscored the need to shift the focus of bilateral engagement from traditional security concerns toward information technology, describing the transition as moving “from CT to IT” — from counterterrorism to information technology. He said greater cooperation in the technology sector could generate sustainable and mutually beneficial outcomes for both countries.
Ambassador Sheikh also highlighted Pakistan’s growing potential in the digital economy, noting that the country possessed considerable technological talent and the capacity to become a more significant partner in the global technology landscape. He described the current period as the “Pakistan moment” and encouraged international businesses to explore the country’s expanding opportunities in technology, innovation, and investment.
Governor of Sindh Syed Nehal Hashmi emphasized the importance of translating Pakistan’s technological capabilities into concrete commercial outcomes. He encouraged participating companies to pursue meaningful business opportunities, pilot projects, and high-value contracts by demonstrating their ability to deliver reliable solutions and long-term value to US partners.
Chief Executive Officer of PSEB Faisal Jeddy, Chief Executive Officer of Ignite Bilal Abbasi, and President of OPEN Global DC Chapter Hassan Khalid also highlighted the rapid development of Pakistan’s technology sector. They noted that Pakistan’s skilled workforce and growing innovation ecosystem offered significant potential, while the United States provided an important market for expanding technology exports and developing international partnerships.
Panel discussions focused on the evolution of Pakistan’s IT industry from traditional services and labour-based outsourcing toward the development of proprietary intellectual property, innovative products, and scalable technology solutions. Participants discussed opportunities for collaboration in emerging technologies and strategies for strengthening Pakistan’s position in the global digital economy.
The event provided a platform for Pakistani technology companies to present their expertise directly to potential US clients and partners, with the aim of establishing lasting commercial relationships and expanding bilateral technology trade.
Concluding the event, Ambassador Sheikh reiterated that Pakistan was ready to play a greater role in the global technology ecosystem. He encouraged international partners to “come and profit from the promise of Pakistan,” emphasizing that the country’s competitive advantages extended beyond cost efficiency to include skilled professionals, technical capabilities, and high-quality solutions.
Pakistan–US Tech Connect 2026 reflects the Embassy of Pakistan’s continued efforts to promote technology-driven economic engagement, encourage investment, and strengthen commercial ties between Pakistan and the United States. The initiative seeks to position technology and innovation as central components of a forward-looking bilateral partnership.