The Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN), in collaboration with the U.S. Mission in Pakistan, proudly announces the newest cohort of grantees under the PUAN Grants Program. This year, 13 outstanding alumni from diverse professional backgrounds have been selected through a competitive process to receive funding across three categories: Special Theme, Open Theme, and PUAN Connects. These grants empower alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs to turn their innovative ideas into impactful, community-driven projects.
The Special Theme grants focus on promoting entrepreneurship and strengthening Pak-U.S. business ties, encouraging the principled and ethical use of emerging technologies, and combating censorship while promoting free speech. Projects funded under this theme include initiatives such as enhancing digital legal services to improve access to justice, empowering educators with AI skills, storytelling campaigns for responsible technology use, and media engagement to showcase women-led entrepreneurship.
Open Theme grants support alumni in pursuing innovative ideas beyond the defined special themes, allowing for diverse community-driven solutions like advocacy on minority rights, peacebuilding through sports, and women’s inheritance rights campaigns.
PUAN Connects grants facilitate chapter-based alumni engagement by fostering networking, mentorship, collaborative learning, and community building. Projects under this category aim to strengthen youth skills in digital literacy and technology, link young entrepreneurs with industry leaders, promote global education and exchange opportunities, and celebrate cultural heritage through festivals and alumni gatherings.
Together, these projects reflect PUAN’s commitment to fostering mutual understanding between Pakistan and the United States, while advancing innovation, equity, and sustainable development across communities nationwide.
Spotlight on PUAN Grants Program
The PUAN Grants Program offers a unique platform for alumni to bring their exchange experiences to life by implementing initiatives that address societal challenges and promote development. Grants are available in three categories:
- Special Theme Grants support focused projects on themes such as:
- Promoting entrepreneurship and Pak-U.S. business ties
- Promoting principled use of emerging technologies
- Combatting censorship and promoting free speech
- Open Theme Grants empower alumni to explore innovative ideas beyond the special themes.
- PUAN Connects supports chapter-based alumni engagement projects for networking, mentorship, and collaborative learning.
2025 PUAN Grantees: Driving Positive Change
Let’s meet the 13 changemakers who are using their PUAN grants to make an impact:
1. Sijal Shafique – Karachi Chapter
Project: Unheard Voices: Shedding Light on Forced Conversions and Underage Marriages in Pakistan
Theme: Open Theme
A tireless advocate for minority and girls’ rights, Sijal will create a powerful documentary and social media campaign to raise awareness and push for legal reforms on underage marriages and forced conversions.
2. Hammad Anwar – Central Punjab Chapter
Project: Ethical Futures: A Storytelling Initiative for Responsible Tech Use Among Youth
Theme: Special Theme – Emerging Technologies
Using his storytelling prowess, Hammad will engage youth and educators in conversations around ethical technology use through creative educational stories and teacher training.
3. Dr. Muhammad Riaz – Islamabad/Rawalpindi Chapter
Project: AI Training for Preservice Graduate Teachers in Islamabad Universities
Theme: Special Theme – Emerging Technologies
Dr. Riaz will empower 150 future educators with skills in AI-driven teaching, promote digital literacy, and prepare Pakistan’s classrooms for the future.
4. Dr. Nudrat Ejaz Piracha – Islamabad/Rawalpindi Chapter
Project: Online Dispute Resolution Platform
Theme: Special Theme – Entrepreneurship and Pak-U.S. Business Ties
A trailblazing lawyer and Fulbright scholar, Dr. Piracha’s project will enhance access to justice and foster foreign investment through efficient digital legal solutions.
5. Rooh Ullah Jan Khalil – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chapter
Project: Playing for Unity and Peace
Theme: Open Theme
Using the universal language of sports, Rooh Ullah will foster peace and inter-sect harmony among youth in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through tournaments and peacebuilding workshops.
6. Najia Ashar – Karachi Chapter
Project: Pak-U.S. Entrepreneurship Collaboration Through Media and Engagement
Theme: Special Theme – Entrepreneurship and Pak-U.S. Business Ties
Najia will showcase success stories of U.S.-supported ventures, particularly women-led enterprises, through storytelling and a media outreach campaign to build stronger business connections.
7. Jamaima Afridi – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chapter
Project: Right to Own
Theme: Open Theme
Jamaima, an award-winning journalist, will advocate for women’s inheritance rights in tribal areas via documentary filmmaking and community workshops.
8. Dr. Shakir Ullah – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chapter
Project: Digital Preservation of Heritage Sites in Mansehra
Theme: Special Theme – Emerging Technologies
Dr. Shakir will preserve the Ashoka Rock Edicts, Sultan Mahmud Khurd’s Tomb, and Naukot Fortress through digital documentation, merging technology with cultural heritage conservation.
9. Meherban Karim – Gilgit Chapter
Project: Technology Friendly Society
Theme: PUAN Connects
From digital learning in remote regions to promoting AI, VR tourism, and ethical hacking awareness, Meherban’s project will focus on equipping Gilgit’s youth with skills for the global digital economy.
10. Muhammad Nadeem – Gwadar Chapter
Project: Empowering Youth Through Education, Global Exchange, and Emerging Technologies
Theme: PUAN Connects
Nadeem’s initiative will inspire secondary students in Turbat by promoting U.S. exchange programs, career guidance, and responsible tech use—building bridges for future leaders.
11. Muhammad Hussain Amin – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chapter
Project: Bridging Young Entrepreneurs with Industry Leaders
Theme: PUAN Connects
This project will link young entrepreneurs with the Mansehra Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) to improve market access and mentorship. It will offer sessions on MCCI’s role, business development, and scaling strategies, creating a sustainable network between industry leaders and youth-led startups for long-term economic empowerment.
12. Walija Nisar – North AJK Chapter
Project: AJK Alumni LinkUp: Strengthening Connections & Opportunities
Theme: PUAN Connects
Walija’s initiative will bring together alumni from all six districts of AJK to build collaboration through virtual and in-person sessions. It will focus on leadership training, entrepreneurship, and mentorship to deepen alumni ties and launch a long-term platform for development and impact across the region.
13. Jamal Abdul Nasir – Quetta Chapter
Project: Cultural & Heritage Evening Networking Festival – Balochistan
Theme: PUAN Connects
Jamal’s project will celebrate Balochistan’s rich traditions through storytelling, music, and dance, offering alumni a space to reconnect. The festival will aim to build bridges between generations, preserve cultural heritage, and strengthen alumni engagement across Balochistan.
How PUAN Grants Make a Difference
From documentary filmmaking to AI training, and from sports diplomacy to legal innovation, these projects are shaping resilient communities and building bridges of cooperation between Pakistan and the United States. The alumni’s commitment to public service, inclusive development, and principled leadership exemplifies the enduring impact of international exchange.
PUAN’s investment in its alumni ensures that knowledge gained abroad translates into action at home—making real, measurable change.
Follow Their Journey
Stay connected with PUAN and witness these inspiring projects unfold across Pakistan. Follow and subscribe to PUAN social media platform to hear more from these changemakers.
Together, PUAN and the U.S. Mission in Pakistan are empowering alumni to write the next chapter of progress, unity, and innovation—one grant at a time.
