Ambassador Sheikh calls for shift from ‘counterterrorism to IT’ in Pakistan-US ties

Urges stronger tech ties to deepen economic cooperation between two countries

Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has called for a shift in bilateral engagement from counterterrorism to information technology, describing tech cooperation as a promising avenue for strengthening economic ties between the two countries.

Addressing the Pakistan-US Tech Connect 2026 forum in Washington, Ambassador Sheikh said technological collaboration could open new avenues for mutually beneficial partnerships between Islamabad and Washington.

In his remarks, Sheikh said the forum sought to present leading Pakistani technology companies to stakeholders in Washington and demonstrate their ability to meet international standards in emerging fields, including artificial intelligence.

The Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C., hosted the third event of the ongoing Pakistan–U.S. Tech Connect 2026 series, bringing together leading Pakistani technology companies and U.S. industry leaders to explore partnerships in artificial intelligence, cloud computing,… pic.twitter.com/hbJR2kRw3t

— Pakistan Embassy US (@PakinUSA) October 22, 2026

Emphasising the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and the United States, he said cooperation between the two countries had produced results beyond their bilateral relationship.

“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.

Sheikh called for a shift in bilateral priorities from traditional security concerns to technological cooperation, saying closer ties in information technology could pave the way for a mutually beneficial partnership.

Read: Ambassador Sheikh calls for stronger Pakistan-US tech collaboration

“A key goal is to make a transition in the bilateral relationship from ‘CT to IT’, moving from counterterrorism to information technology,” he said, adding that this would yield a mutually rewarding partnership in the future.

Describing the current period as the “Pakistan moment”, the ambassador said the country’s potential was particularly evident in the digital domain.

The ambassador also highlighted Pakistan’s role in regional and global stability.

“Over the past 16, 17 months, we have seen the best of Pakistan's defense and diplomacy. We have emerged as a factor of stability as well as a stabilizing agent, a stabilizing force, a stabilizing nation,” he noted.

Sindh Governor Syed Nehal Hashmi, who attended the forum, said US enterprises were looking for reliable partners capable of delivering long-term value.

He urged Pakistani technology companies to translate their digital capabilities into concrete business opportunities, pilot projects and high-value contracts.

PSEB Chief Executive Officer Faisal Jeddy, Ignite CEO Bilal Abbasi and OPEN Global DC Chapter President Hassan Khalid also highlighted the expansion of Pakistan’s technology sector.

They said Pakistan had substantial technical talent, while the US market offered opportunities for companies seeking to expand their businesses and develop scalable solutions.

Discussions at the forum focused on the need for Pakistani technology firms to move beyond routine IT services and labour arbitrage towards developing proprietary intellectual property and scalable products.

Also Read: Ambassador Sheikh urges Pakistani-Americans to drive 'mutually rewarding' economic engagement

The shift, participants noted, could help position Pakistani companies as higher-value partners in the global technology industry.

Concluding the event, Sheikh reiterated that Pakistan had arrived on the global technology stage and praised the participating companies as representatives of the country’s capabilities.

Inviting international partners to “come and profit from the promise of Pakistan”, he said competitive costs could attract businesses initially, while the performance of Pakistani technology professionals could help sustain long-term partnerships.

He urged participants to use the platform to help redefine and promote Pakistan’s image internationally.

The event was organised by the Embassy of Pakistan in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, OPEN Global and the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) to facilitate direct engagement between Pakistani technology firms and their American counterparts.

The forum brought together representatives of 16 Pakistani technology companies working in areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, financial technology and healthcare technology. Representatives of US technology and financial firms, multilateral institutions, government agencies and the Pakistani-American business community also attended the event.

The initiative aimed to develop commercial partnerships in enterprise solutions, digital transformation, product development and strategic IT collaboration through executive discussions and business-to-business meetings.