WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Pakistani Embassy in Washington, D.C., organised Pakistan-US Tech Connect 2026 in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, OPEN Global, and the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB). The event aimed to connect leading Pakistani technology companies with US businesses and explore new opportunities for cooperation.
The executive networking session focused on product development, digital transformation, corporate solutions, and strategic IT partnerships. The Pakistani delegation included senior executives from 16 technology firms specialising in artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, data analytics, fintech, and healthcare technology.
Notable participants included Sindh Governor Syed Nehal Hashmi, Pakistani-American business leaders, government representatives, multilateral organisations, and executives from major US technology and financial companies.
Through executive discussions and business-to-business (B2B) meetings, the event sought to turn Pakistan’s growing IT export capacity into sustainable commercial partnerships. It also highlighted technology as a key pillar of future Pakistan-US economic engagement.
Pakistan-US Ties Could Shift from Security to Technology
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, welcomed participants and described the initiative as an important step towards positioning Pakistan as a stronger contributor to the global technology industry.
He said the showcase brought leading Pakistani technology companies directly to stakeholders in Washington, D.C. It also demonstrated their technical capabilities and ability to meet international standards in emerging fields such as AI.
Sheikh highlighted the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and the United States. He said technology cooperation could create new opportunities to strengthen bilateral ties.
“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 said.
The ambassador also called for a shift in bilateral priorities from traditional security concerns towards information technology.
“A key goal is to make a transition in the bilateral relationship from ‘CT to IT,’ moving from counterterrorism to information technology,” he said. He added that this shift could lead to a mutually beneficial partnership.
Ambassador Highlights Pakistan’s Digital Potential
Sheikh described the current period as a “Pakistan moment,” arguing that the country’s potential was particularly strong in the digital sector.
He also referred to Pakistan’s recent performance in defence and diplomacy, saying the country had emerged as a factor of regional and global stability.
Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Syed Nehal Hashmi stressed the importance of building reliable, long-term business relationships with US companies.
He urged Pakistani technology firms to turn their digital expertise into measurable commercial outcomes. These include qualified business leads, pilot projects, and high-value contracts.
PSEB, Ignite and OPEN Global Highlight Growth Opportunities
PSEB Chief Executive Officer Faisal Jeddy, Ignite CEO Bilal Abbasi, and OPEN Global’s Washington, D.C., chapter president, Hassan Khalid, also highlighted the rapid growth of Pakistan’s technology sector.
They noted that Pakistan offers a substantial pool of technical talent, while the United States provides significant opportunities for businesses seeking to expand their operations and reach new markets.
Panel discussions also examined how Pakistani IT companies could move beyond routine services and labour arbitrage. Speakers emphasised the need to develop proprietary intellectual property (IP), innovative products, and scalable technology solutions.
This transition could help Pakistani companies become higher-value partners in the global technology ecosystem.
Pakistan Invites US Companies to Explore Investment Opportunities
At the conclusion of the event, Ambassador Sheikh reiterated that Pakistan was ready to expand its role in the international technology market. He described the participating companies as examples of the country’s growing capabilities.
He invited international partners to “come and profit from the promise of Pakistan.” The ambassador noted that competitive pricing could attract companies initially, but the quality of Pakistani technology talent would encourage long-term partnerships.
Sheikh also urged participants to help reshape Pakistan’s international image by engaging with its technology sector and exploring new commercial opportunities.
