The latest edition of the PUAN Fortnightly Newsletter is here! Discover inspiring alumni success stories, stay updated on community news, and explore fresh opportunities for academic and professional growth. Whether you’re aiming to reconnect, expand your network, or level up your career, this issue has everything you need to stay in the loop with the dynamic Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network.
Alumni Link-Up Project under PUAN Connects Grants Concludes
PUAN alumna Walija Nisar (English Access 2017, Summer Sisters 2019, AWE 2022) successfully led the “AJK Alumni Link-Up” under PUAN Connects, bringing together 100+ participants from six districts of North AJK for collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge exchange. The initiative featured virtual workshops with PUAN mentors on leadership and entrepreneurship, followed by an in-person networking session in Muzaffarabad. The project sparked new collaborations, mentorship pledges, and the groundwork for the North AJK Entrepreneurial Society, a sustainable platform to connect youth with mentors and professionals across districts. Read more here.
From Classroom to Airwaves: Komal Khan Tells Stories That Inspire
From a Mass Communication classroom in Karachi to Campus Radio FM 90.6, PUAN alumna Komal Khan (English Works 2022–23) turned her passion for media into practice through the PUAN National Internship Program 2025. Guided by Ms. Samina Qureshi (SUSI for Scholars 2021), Komal not only documented broadcasts but also wrote, narrated, and produced a special Independence Day documentary on Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, gaining confidence as a storyteller and communicator. Read more here.
PUAN Alum Syed Dilawar Shah Contributes to Policy Development in Balochistan
Growing up in Quetta, PUAN alumnus Syed Dilawar Shah (English Access 2011–2013) never imagined he would one day be contributing to policy frameworks shaping his province’s development. During his PUAN National Internship 2025 at the Balochistan Public-Private Partnership Authority (BPPPA), and under the mentorship of Dr. Faisal Ahmed Khan (Fulbright Scholar 2009), Dilawar worked on the Safa Quetta Project. His efforts helped strengthen monitoring and evaluation processes and improved project visibility by 40%. Read more here.
PUAN Alumnus Sheraz Shakar Transforms Healthcare Through Innovation
From being an English Access (2019–21) to working on AI-driven healthcare and VR-based rehabilitation, PUAN alumnus Sheraz Shakar is proving how opportunities can transform lives. During his PUAN National Internship 2025 at PHYSIOHEALTH SMC Pvt. Ltd., Sheraz worked under the mentorship of Dr. Anum Rathore (AWE 2022 & Sister2Sister 2022 alumna), gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge healthcare innovation. Alongside, he has already won the World Startup Championship 2024, joined the League of Launchers and NIC Islamabad, and continues to push boundaries in Pakistan’s startup ecosystem. Read more about his journey here.
Maha Wakeel Gains Recognition Through PUAN National Internship at GIKI
Maha Wakeel (English Works 2023) has successfully completed her PUAN National Internship 2025 at GIKI, an experience she describes as one of the most rewarding chapters of her life. Guided by mentor Sabahat Hussain (IVLP 2016), Maha gained rare exposure to university-level decision-making and played a vital role in GIKI’s 31st Convocation through her design work, reporting, and live coverage. A highlight of her journey was meeting former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani. Her efforts earned recognition from Associate Prof. Minhas Majeed Khan Marwat, who praised her as the “Pride of the Department.” Read more how here that how Maha actively promoted PUAN programs within GIKI.
IVLP Alumna Safia Lakho Strengthens Rule of Law in Sindh
Under the IVLP Impact Award 2025, IVLP alumna Safia Lakho (Advocate, High Court of Sindh) organized a legal training workshop in Karachi, engaging 100 lawyers from across Sindh. Experts from the U.S., Eswatini, Nigeria, and Pakistan led sessions on judicial efficiency, cybercrime, legal ethics, and human rights. Participants hailed it as the first-of-its-kind training in Sindh, while officials praised Safia for applying her U.S.-based learnings to advance justice and human rights in Pakistan. Read more here.
PUAN Connects Brings Cultural & Heritage Evening to Baluchistan
Under the PUAN Connects Grant, alumnus Jamal Abdul Nasir (Global UGRAD 2015) organized a Cultural & Heritage Evening Networking Festival in Quetta, bringing together 40 alumni for a vibrant evening of tradition, unity, and cultural pride. The event featured storytelling sessions where senior alumni shared Balochi and Pashto tales, poetry, and historical narratives, reconnecting participants with their roots. Traditional music performed on the Soros and Dombra added to the cultural spirit, while interactive activities, including the Baluchistan Chronicles storytelling game, a collaborative heritage mural, and a cultural trivia challenge, further strengthened alumni bonds. Read more here.
PUAN Alum Mehran Soomro Gets Appointed Co-Vice Chair at WEF, USA
Mehran Soomro, Pakistani-American and Jamshoro Chapter alumnus, gets appointed as Co-Vice Chair of the Legislative Focus Group at the Water Environment Federation (WEF), USA. A chemical and environmental engineer by profession, Mehran will co-lead national-level legislative efforts, engaging with U.S. Senate and Congressional staff on critical water sector issues. Born in Larkana and raised in Hyderabad and Karachi, he has studied in both Pakistan and the United States, and was recognized with the Cultural Diplomat Award at the University of Utah in 2018. Read more here.
From Sukkur to Texas: Alumnus Wins Graduate Research Award 2024
Aakash Kumar, Sukkur Chapter alumnus and PhD Scholar at Texas A&M University, has been honored with the Graduate Research Award 2024 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education and research. Aakash’s PUAN journey began in 2018, and a PUAN-funded trip to Nepal in 2022 broadened his global perspective, inspiring his dedication to strengthening education in Pakistan. Building on this experience, he collaborated with the Regional English Language Office (RELO), U.S. Embassy Islamabad, serving as an English Works instructor and later as a lead trainer, empowering teachers nationwide including 50 educators this past summer. Read more here that how his impactful work has also been featured on PTV and Hum TV.
Arsalan Arif Represents Pakistan at YSALI in Sri Lanka
Arsalan Arif, alumnus of the English Works Program and a valued member of our network has been certified as a Regional Young Leader by the U.S. Department of State. He was selected as part of the pioneer batch of the Young South Asian Leaders Initiative (YSALI) on Civic Engagement and Entrepreneurship, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Read more that how he represented Orakzai and Pakistan among 82 emerging leaders from across South Asia.
Job Opportunity: Senior Security Officer-USEFP, Islamabad
The United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) is now accepting applications for the position of Senior Security Officer in Islamabad. Applicants must have a minimum of five years of proven security management experience, preferably with an international organization. A bachelor’s degree is required, while a master’s degree is preferred, particularly in Security Management or a related field. Relevant diplomas or recognized certifications such as CPP, PSP, PCI, CSM, CPO, or equivalent are essential, and UNDSS SSAFE/HEAT or similar field security training will be considered an asset. The deadline to apply is September 14, 2025. For the complete job description and details on how to apply, please visit the link.
Apply for Professional Fellows Program on Economic Empowerment
Make your next move count. If you’re a mid-career professional in business administration, economic development, or entrepreneurship, the South and Central Asia Professional Fellows Program is your gateway to international learning and community leadership. Applications now open:
Send Us Your Recent Publications
At PUAN, we are continually inspired by the incredible work that U.S. exchange alumni have been doing. The dedication and contributions of our alumni are making a significant impact, and we are proud to have you all as part of the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN). We would love to hear about your recent accomplishments. If you have published an op-ed, journal article, news piece, or any other work in the past three months, please let us know by filling out this quick questionnaire. Additionally, we encourage you to keep us informed of your future publications by emailing us at info@puan.pk. Your continued support and engagement are vital to the success of PUAN, and we are grateful for your contributions. Please note that the compilation of alumni publications is a recurring activity. Therefore, we kindly request that you avoid submitting the same information more than once.
