Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, concluded a three-day commercial outreach visit to New York from 15–17 September 2025, aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s textile exports and deepening commercial linkages with the U.S. market. He was accompanied by Mohammad Hanif Channa, Minister (Trade & Investment).
The visit featured a series of high-level meetings with stakeholders, including senior leadership from major Pakistani textile firms such as Gul Ahmed, Alkaram Industries, Alkaram Towels, Nishat Mills, and Lucky Textiles. The Ambassador also engaged with U.S.-based facilitators and sourcing agents including TEU, Trade Exhibitor USA, GPL LLC, importers, and representatives from the home textile and apparel sectors.
Discussions centered on strategies to expand Pakistan’s footprint in the U.S. market by leveraging its industrial capacity, competitive edge in home textiles, and strong compliance and traceability record. The Ambassador emphasized the need to capitalize on new opportunities arising from global trade realignments and tariff shifts that are reshaping sourcing patterns.
Ambassador Sheikh reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to proactive commercial diplomacy, assuring exporters of full support from the Embassy’s Trade and Commercial Wing in Washington D.C. and the Consulate General in New York. He also encouraged businesses to diversify through e-commerce and direct-to-consumer platforms, citing the growing success of Pakistani digital retail ventures in the U.S.
Exporters highlighted challenges impacting competitiveness, including high energy costs, limited working capital, and the need for dedicated Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to support e-commerce and sustainable manufacturing initiatives.
The visit reinforced Pakistan’s strategic focus on boosting value-added exports, fostering long-term partnerships with U.S. buyers, and enhancing its role as a reliable player in global textile supply chains.
