Washington: The Pakistan-American Tech Council (PAKAMTECH) convened its formal session at the Consulate General of Pakistan in Los Angeles. The meeting was chaired by Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, and was attended by Consul General Asim Ali Khan alongside more than forty distinguished members of the Council, comprising senior executives, investors, and entrepreneurs from across the U.S. technology ecosystem.
In his keynote remarks, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh underlined the strategic importance of the Pakistani-American technology diaspora in fostering deeper linkages between the innovation ecosystems of Pakistan and the United States. He expressed appreciation for the Council's active engagement and reaffirmed the Government of Pakistan's commitment to enabling a transparent, forward-looking, and investor-friendly environment for technology partnerships.
In his welcoming address, Consul General Asim Ali Khan expressed appreciation for the active contributions of the diaspora and reaffirmed the Consulate's continued support in advancing bilateral technology and investment linkages.
Key Outcomes of the Session:
Leadership Endorsement: The Council formally endorsed the appointment of Najeeb U. Ghauri as President of PAKAMTECH. Ambassador Sheikh welcomed the nomination and expressed confidence in Najeeb U. Ghauri's leadership to guide the Council's strategic priorities.
Pakistan's IT Sector Overview: Ambassador Sheikh provided an overview of Pakistan's rapidly expanding IT industry, noting that IT exports exceeded USD 3 billion in FY 2023-24, with the United States accounting for over 70% of the export share. He highlighted Pakistan's growing competitiveness in software development, BPO, fintech, AI, and cloud services.
- Policy and Investment Incentives: Members were briefed on the robust incentives offered by the Government of Pakistan to support foreign and diaspora investment in the digital economy.
Ambassador Sheikh also acknowledged the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) in streamlining investor facilitation and approvals.
Approval of the 2025-2026 Roadmap: The Council unanimously adopted a one-year action plan focused on: Promoting Pakistan Tech Investment Conferences in U.S. innovation hubs, Facilitating C-level delegations of U.S. tech firms to Pakistan , Strengthening collaboration in emerging technologies including AI, cybersecurity, and health tech, Deepening engagement with U.S. venture capital and startup incubators.
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Sheikh lauded the Council's proactive engagement, describing PAKAMTECH as a key enabler in Pakistan's broader digital diplomacy efforts. He encouraged members to remain closely engaged as trusted partners in promoting Pakistan's technology potential globally and assured them of the Embassy's full support in facilitating sustained dialogue and collaboration.