Representatives from the U.S. Embassy Islamabad’s Public Diplomacy team engaged with U.S. exchange alumni in Gilgit-Baltistan to discuss regional economic opportunities, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and challenges affecting local businesses.
As part of the engagement, a networking dinner was held at Hunza on October 7, bringing together U.S. Embassy officials and three Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) members
The participating alumni included:
- Lal Bano, Community College Initiative Program (CCIP) 2010–2011 alumna and Founder & CEO of Women Excellence & Empowerment Initiative.
- Laila Jabeen Harri, CCIP 2013–2014 alumna and CEO of Prime ECD Teachers Training and Development (SMC) Pvt. Limited.
- Saira Jahan, CCIP 2012–2013 alumna and CEO of Moksha Resorts Hunza (Pvt.) Ltd
Drawing on their professional experiences and U.S. exchange backgrounds, the alumni highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship training, English language proficiency, and vocational skills in helping local businesses and professionals access emerging market opportunities.
Discussions also addressed infrastructure and regulatory barriers affecting commercial activity in Gilgit-Baltistan. Participants explored potential opportunities to leverage American educational expertise, professional networks, and vocational training approaches to strengthen workforce readiness and support local enterprise development.
The engagement provided a platform for alumni to share regional economic priorities directly with U.S. Embassy representatives and identify potential areas for future collaboration.
By connecting U.S. exchange alumni with American expertise and professional networks, the discussions highlighted opportunities to strengthen entrepreneurship, develop market-relevant skills, and support conditions for future U.S.-Pakistan commercial engagement in Gilgit-Baltistan.
