In an engaging conversation with the Pakistan Student Association (PSA) at Harvard Graduate School of Education, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh called upon the next generation of Pakistani Americans to serve as enduring bridges between the two nations, harness emerging technologies for economic empowerment, and navigate complex foreign relations with confidence and evidence-based analysis.
The event, themed around foreign relations, emerging tech, and building bridges, featured candid discussions and audience Q&A, moderated by PSA leaders, and attended by students, diaspora professionals, and dignitaries. Pakistan's Consul General in New York, Amar Ahmed Atozai, was also present.
Drawing on his long diplomatic experience, spanning over more than three decades, the Ambassador framed Pakistan's global engagements as rooted in history of mutual interests and strategic imperatives. Describing the US-Pakistan relationship as "as old as Pakistan itself," he highlighted its evolution from security-focused alliances during the Cold War and Afghan conflicts to currently a most promising "strategic partnership entrenched in economic interests."
On Pakistan's ties with the United States and China, the Ambassador stressed their distinct merits. He pointed out that Pakistan had followed a balanced approach in its ties with the two major powers of the world, crediting the nation's geography as a geopolitical as well as geo-economic asset connecting liquidity-rich regions.
Shifting to emerging technologies, Ambassador Sheikh underscored Pakistan's youthful demographic, 65% under the age of 30, as a potential "demographic dividend”, urging evolution of a workforce well equipped in AI, IT, and crypto.
Citing Pakistan's top-three global ranking in freelancing and crypto utilization despite regional turmoil, he highlighted ongoing initiatives, especially the steps taken by the government to provide an enabling environment as well as the necessary financial, physical and legal infrastructure for AI-related young professionals.
On building bridges, the Ambassador empowered the diaspora as "permanent ambassadors of the country" in promoting and fortifying bilateral ties.
Advising students to rally around their descent, which will always remain their source of identity, the Ambassador called upon future leaders to put in their best and work for the betterment of their motherland.
"Invite people to profit from the promise of Pakistan," said the Ambassador.
The Ambassador thanked the office bearers of the PSA for providing him with an opportunity to interact with Pakistani students and have a candid conversation.
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