DALLAS: Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh has stated that close ties between Pakistan and the US in the technology sector are a necessity rather than a choice, as the two nations complement each other in IT and other emerging fields.
He was addressing the "Pak-US Tech Connect 2026" at the Wyndham DFW Airport hotel in Irving on Monday. The event was organized by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) and OPEN Global in collaboration with the Consulate General of Pakistan in Houston.
Ambassador Sheikh highlighted that approximately 60-62% of Pakistan's services exports are directed toward the American market. He noted that 60-65% of the country's population is under the age of 30, describing this demographic as Pakistan's most valuable asset.
He emphasized that the synergy between Pakistan's young workforce and the US market's technology, investment, and business opportunities could form a robust foundation for long-term cooperation. "That is why maintaining relations is not a matter of choice for Pakistan and the US.
We must have strong relations, especially in this most important sector," he said. He added that the primary aim of the initiative is to connect Pakistani companies with American firms interested in future trade partnerships and joint ventures, fostering a collaborative ecosystem that benefits both economies.
Addressing the event, PSEB CEO Faisal Jeddy noted that around 25,000 computer science and IT graduates enter Pakistan's workforce annually. He pointed out that IT exports have grown steadily over the past three to four years, with September recording the second-highest monthly figure in the country's history.
The US remains the largest market for Pakistan's IT exports, followed by the Middle East and the UK. Arbisoft's Khawaja Hammad Haider remarked that while Pakistan is rich in IT talent, the primary challenge lies in aligning that talent with the specific needs of American and international markets.
He suggested that bridging this gap is essential for scaling up exports. PakAm Global CEO Imran Jan encouraged Pakistani IT professionals to focus more on serving American and international companies remotely.
He added that improving internet infrastructure and access within Pakistan would significantly help local businesses expand their operations across borders. Artificial intelligence specialist Babar Bhatti addressed the technical skill gap, noting that advanced expertise remains scarce in certain niches within Pakistan.
He called for a comprehensive overhaul of the education system and increased investment in AI training to ensure the workforce remains competitive globally. The event concluded with a networking session where industry leaders discussed strategies to overcome regulatory hurdles and enhance the ease of doing business between the two nations.
Participants expressed optimism that such platforms would pave the way for increased foreign direct investment in Pakistan's burgeoning tech sector.