The US Embassy in Islamabad highlighted more than USD 10 billion in US-Pakistan trade at the closing of the Pakistan-US Alumni Network Economic Policy Challenge, a two-day competition in Islamabad. Seventy alumni from Pakistan and six from Bangladesh, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka proposed reforms to build a more competitive, prosperous and globally integrated Pakistani economy.
What is the PUAN Economic Policy Challenge?
The PUAN Economic Policy Challenge is a two-day, case-based competition for Pakistan-US Alumni Network members, supported by US Embassy Islamabad. Alumni teams work through the question of how Pakistan can build a more competitive, prosperous and globally integrated economy, then present policy recommendations to a panel of senior stakeholders.
Who took part in the challenge?
The event brought together 70 alumni participants from across Pakistan. Six additional participants traveled from Bangladesh, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka to take part.
What economic issues did the teams address?
Alumni teams tackled a range of complex policy questions during the competition. These included attracting US investment, improving Pakistan's global brand, and global capital allocation. Teams also examined securing an affordable energy future, rationalizing the tax system, and strengthening institutional safeguards for foreign investment.
What did Chargé d'Affaires Andy Halus say about the challenge?
Speaking at the closing ceremony, US Embassy Islamabad's Chargé d'Affaires, ad interim, Andy Halus said the inaugural challenge let participants develop practical recommendations for a more competitive, mutually prosperous and globally integrated Pakistani economy.
"Over the past 250 years since its founding, the United States has fostered a spirit of innovation. Today, I saw how the participants embraced that to address their own economic issues in Pakistan. We are proud of how the core values of the United States influence the future for the better," Chargé Halus said. He noted that Freedom 250 celebrations of the United States' founding are taking place throughout 2026 to mark the ideas and ingenuity that shaped the country.
Halus emphasized that the relationships built through the program were an essential part of its value. The program connected PUAN alumni with fellow alumni, industry experts and American companies. He encouraged participants to maintain these connections and turn them into mutually beneficial partnerships.
Why does US-Pakistan trade matter to this program?
"Bilateral trade between our countries reached over USD 10 billion last year, and the United States remains Pakistan's largest single-country export market," Halus said. He added that the recommendations developed during the challenge showed how US program alumni could brainstorm reforms to Pakistan's business climate.
Halus said such reforms would increase access for American firms and related investment opportunities.
Who helped organize the event?
Chargé Halus thanked the organizations and teams that helped run the event. These included Accountability Lab Pakistan and the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan.
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