Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh addressed key economic, political, and security topics at the prestigious ‘Ambassador Insider Series’, emphasizing strong Pak-US relations, Pakistan’s economic recovery, and promising investment climate.
The flagship event of renowned US media house Washington Diplomat attended by over 100 participants comprising members of leading US think tank community, staffers at Capitol Hill, academicians, civil society and media representatives.
Welcoming the participants to the Embassy of Pakistan, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh underscored Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its democratic institutions, focusing on the achievements made by the present government in stabilizing economy.
Highlighting Pakistan’s economic trajectory, the Ambassador pointed out positive indicators including a significant reduction in inflation, from 38% in May 2023 to 4.1% in December 2024—far exceeding expectations. He described this as a testament to the government’s effective economic policies, positioning Pakistan on a path of recovery and resilience.
Emphasizing the country’s growing tech sector, the Ambassador highlighted that Pakistan was the second-largest contributor to IT freelancing worldwide, only behind the United States. He highlighted Pakistan’s cost and quality competitiveness, making it an ideal partner for IT outsourcing.
The Ambassador reaffirmed the strength of trade ties between Pakistan and the United States, noting that the U.S. remains Pakistan’s largest trading partner. “Trade has been the most stable facet of our bilateral relationship. My foremost priority as Ambassador is to expand economic diplomacy and strengthen commercial interactions,” he stated.
He highlighted Pakistan’s competitive edge in manufacturing, particularly in sports goods and surgical instruments.
Responding to a question, the Ambassador emphasized that Pakistan was focusing on export-oriented and self-sustaining investments to avoid past foreign exchange challenges, stating, “We seek quality investments that generate their own revenue cycle.”
The Ambassador described CPEC as a transformative project connecting China with the Gulf and African markets. He also encouraged American companies to explore Pakistan’s trade incentives, citing examples of multinational corporations like Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, and Nestlé benefiting from Pakistan’s economic positioning.
Discussing Pakistan’s National Security Policy, Ambassador Rizwan Sheikh highlighted a shift from traditional security paradigms to a people-centric approach. “For the first time, security policy in Pakistan included education, health, and socio-economic stability as integral components. With 26 million children out of school, human capital development is now a security imperative,” he stated.
Addressing concerns over regional security, Ambassador Sheikh reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast fight against terrorism, emphasizing that the country has been both a frontline state and a victim of terrorism. He highlighted the legacy of militancy from the Afghan war era and Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to secure its porous borders.
With a new U.S. administration and Congress, Ambassador Sheikh has proactively engaged with key U.S. policymakers, having met at least 40 congressmen and women in recent weeks. His outreach efforts focus on reconnecting with re-elected representatives and building new partnerships to enhance the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and the U.S.
On Pakistan’s strategic role in global trade, he dismissed the notion of Pakistan being caught in a binary U.S.-China competition, asserting that Pakistan serves as a bridge between the two global powers.
Ambassador Sheikh also highlighted Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, describing the country as a “frontline state” in the global fight against climate change, much like it was in the war on terror. He said that Pakistan was actively working with global institutions like the IMF and World Bank on a climate resilience strategy, shifting from reactive disaster response to proactive climate adaptation. The World Bank’s 10-year Country Partnership Framework for Pakistan includes a strong focus on climate resilience and gender-inclusive recovery efforts, ensuring women and girls—who are disproportionately affected—receive targeted support, he added.
He said that Pakistan looks forward to deepening its partnership with the United States in areas of security, trade, investment, and climate resilience, ensuring a mutually beneficial future for both nations.
Washington, D.C., 30 January 2025
