The Pakistan-American Tech Council (PAKAMTECH) convened its formal session on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Consulate General of Pakistan in Los Angeles. The meeting, presided over by His Excellency Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, was attended by Consul General Asim Ali Khan and over forty distinguished members of the Council, including senior executives, investors, and entrepreneurs from across the U.S. technology sector.
Key Highlights of the Session:
Strategic Importance of Diaspora: Ambassador Sheikh underscored the pivotal role of the Pakistani-American technology diaspora in forging stronger ties between Pakistan and the U.S. innovation ecosystems. He commended the Council for its active involvement and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fostering a transparent and investor-friendly environment for technology partnerships.
Welcome Address by Consul General: Consul General Asim Ali Khan acknowledged the significant contributions of the diaspora and reaffirmed the Consulate’s unwavering support in advancing bilateral technology and investment linkages.
Key Outcomes:
Leadership Endorsement: The Council formally endorsed Najeeb U. Ghauri as President of PAKAMTECH. Ambassador Sheikh expressed confidence in Ghauri’s leadership to steer the Council’s strategic priorities effectively.
Overview of Pakistan’s IT Sector: Ambassador Sheikh provided an overview of Pakistan’s burgeoning IT industry, highlighting that IT exports surpassed USD 3 billion in FY 2023–24, with the United States accounting for over 70% of the export share. He emphasized Pakistan’s growing competitiveness in software development, BPO, fintech, AI, and cloud services.
Policy and Investment Incentives: Members were briefed on robust incentives offered by the Government of Pakistan to support foreign and diaspora investments in the digital economy. Ambassador Sheikh acknowledged the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) in facilitating investor approvals and streamlining processes.
Approval of the 2025–2026 Roadmap: The Council unanimously adopted a one-year action plan focused on:
- Promoting Pakistan Tech Investment Conferences in key U.S. innovation hubs.
- Facilitating delegations of U.S. tech firm C-level executives to Pakistan.
- Strengthening collaboration in emerging technologies such as AI, cybersecurity, and health tech.
- Enhancing engagement with U.S. venture capital firms and startup incubators.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Sheikh praised the Council’s proactive engagement, describing PAKAMTECH as pivotal in Pakistan’s broader digital diplomacy efforts. He urged members to continue their active involvement as trusted partners in showcasing Pakistan’s technology potential globally. The Ambassador assured full Embassy support in facilitating ongoing dialogue and collaboration initiatives.This edited version ensures clarity and emphasizes the significant outcomes of the PAKAMTECH Council meeting in Los Angeles.
