A popular annual event of The Washington Diplomat is its Ambassador Insider Series, which kicked off January 28, 2025, with a conversation between Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh of Pakistan and journalist Adrienne Ross
Pakistan’s Economy “on Path of Recovery and Resilience,” Says Envoy Rizwan Saeed Sheikh at Ambassador Insider Event
By Elaine Pasquini
Photos By Phil Pasquini
Washington: Since 1994, The Washington Diplomat, an independent media company with a readership of more than 200,000, has served as the flagship news source for the diplomatic community in Washington. A popular annual event of the communication outlet is its Ambassador Insider Series, which kicked off January 28, 2025, with a conversation between Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh of Pakistan and journalist Adrienne Ross.
Ross, a seasoned interviewer, immediately brought up the issue of freedom of speech in Pakistan with Ambassador Sheikh in light of the recent passage into law of an amendment to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act of 2016 which critics say criminalizes free speech. The ambassador explained that the amendment was intended to address “fake news or irresponsible” online broadcasts as well as “regulate” and make posts on social media more “responsible.” In addition, the measure addresses security concerns important not only for Pakistan, but the entire region and globally, he added.
Turning to Pakistan’s economic recovery, the ambassador pointed out positive indicators including a dramatic reduction in inflation, down from a troubling 38 percent in May 2023 to 4.1 percent last December, far exceeding expectations. “This is a testament to the government’s effective economic policies, positioning Pakistan on a path of recovery and resilience,” he said.
Emphasizing the country’s growing tech sector, Pakistan, “and maybe the youth of Pakistan, is second only to the United States when it comes to IT freelancing worldwide,” he said. Pakistan’s promising investment climate along with its cost and quality competitiveness make it an ideal partner for IT outsourcing.
Ambassador Sheikh reaffirmed the strong trade ties between Pakistan and the United States, noting that the US remains Pakistan’s largest trading partner. “Trade has been the most stable facet of our bilateral relationship,” he said. “My foremost priority as ambassador is to expand economic diplomacy and strengthen commercial interactions.” The ambassador also encouraged American companies to explore Pakistan’s trade incentives, citing examples of multinational corporations like Procter & Gamble. PepsiCo and Nestlé benefitting from Pakistan’s economic positioning.
Pakistan has a strong competitive edge in manufacturing, he noted, particularly in surgical instruments and sports goods. The country is proud to be producing 70 percent of the world’s soccer balls in the small town of Sialkot located in the northeastern part of Pakistan, he noted.
Ambassador Sheikh went on to stress that Pakistan was focusing on export-oriented and self-sustaining investments to avoid past foreign exchange challenges. “We seek quality investments that generate their own revenue cycle,” he said.
Discussing Pakistan’s National Security Policy, the ambassador explained there has been 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,” the ambassador stated.
Addressing a new report asserting that some 1,600 civilians and security personnel had been killed in Pakistan last year in terrorist bombings or gun violence, Ambassador Sheikh reaffirmed his country’s steadfast fight against terrorism, pointing out that Pakistan has been both a frontline state and a victim of terrorism. Following the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in August 2021, Pakistan increased its long-term efforts to secure its porous borders.
On the much-talked-about issue of US-China competition, the ambassador dismissed the notion of Pakistan being caught in a binary position, 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 just launched on January 14 includes a strong focus on climate resilience and gender-inclusive recovery efforts, he asserted, ensuring that women and girls – who are disproportionately affected – receive targeted support.
With a new administration and Congress in Washington, Sheikh has proactively engaged with key US policymakers. In recent weeks, the indefatigable envoy met at least 40 US lawmakers, focusing on reconnecting with re-elected representatives and building new partnerships to enhance the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and the US.
In closing, Ambassador Sheikh expressed Pakistan’s desire to deepen its partnership with the United States in areas of security, trade, investment and climate resilience in the hope of ensuring a mutually beneficial future for both nations.
(Elaine Pasquini is a freelance journalist. Her reports appear in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs and Nuze.Ink).
