Dear PUAN Tribe,

Welcome to the latest edition of PUAN Voices, covering August 22-September 04, 2026. This fortnight, we bring you highlights from across the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network, featuring alumni-led initiatives, professional development opportunities, and stories demonstrating alumni expertise in action. Explore how PUAN members are applying their exchange experiences, strengthening professional networks, advancing innovation, and creating practical opportunities across Pakistan.

The Energy Sphere: Exploring Pakistan’s Energy Future

Through the PUAN Grants Program, IVLP 2025 alumna Barrister Sarah Kazmi and her team are bringing expert perspectives on Pakistan’s energy sector through The Energy Sphere podcast. Across its first three episodes, the series explores the journey behind the podcast, investment opportunities in Pakistan’s power sector, and emerging U.S.–Pakistan trade, investment, and technology partnerships in energy and minerals.

Two more episodes of The Energy Sphere are still to come, featuring further discussions with experts on key issues and opportunities shaping Pakistan’s energy sector.

🎙️ Episode 1 – From North Dakota to Energy Sphere
Sarah Kazmi, Asjadullah Qureshi, and Iraj Tariq share how an idea developed during their 2025 IVLP experience in North Dakota evolved into The Energy Sphere.
Watch: [Episode 1]

🎙️ Episode 2 – Power Talks: Investing in Pakistan’s Energy Future
Sarah speaks with Shah Jahan Mirza, former Managing Director of PPIB, about private investment, power-sector reforms, grid modernization, technology, and emerging commercial opportunities.
Watch: [Episode 2 ]

🎙️ Episode 3 – U.S.–Pakistan Opportunities in Energy & Minerals
Sarah speaks with Dan Acker, Economic Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, about critical minerals, energy-sector investment, U.S. technology and financing, and opportunities for commercial partnerships between Pakistani and U.S. businesses.
Watch: [Episode 3]

The Energy Sphere is implemented under the PUAN Grants Program, with support from the U.S. Mission to Pakistan through the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN).

ScaleX Technologies Completes AEIF 2025 Groundwater Project in Islamabad

ScaleX Technologies marked the completion of its AEIF 2025 project, “Protecting Islamabad’s Groundwater Aquifer,” highlighting key findings, lessons, and future approaches to groundwater management in the capital.

Supported by the U.S. Mission to Pakistan in partnership with PUAN, the project introduced smart monitoring systems at two groundwater recharge sites in collaboration with the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

Read the full story: Here

PUAN Small Grant Promotes Digital Trust and Responsible Expression

U.S. Consul General Stetson Sanders joined the closing ceremony of the PUAN Alumni Small Grants project, “Digital Trust and Free Expression in the AI Era.”

The project equipped participants with practical tools to strengthen responsible content creation, freedom of expression, and trust in open digital spaces, while highlighting the role of U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence, innovation, education, and technology.

Through PUAN, the United States continues to support alumni-led initiatives that turn knowledge into meaningful community impact and strengthen the enduring U.S.-Pakistan partnership.

Read more about Here.

PUAN Grant Equips Youth of South Punjab Chapter with E-Commerce Skills for the Digital Economy

From learning e-commerce to making their first sales! Approximately 30 young participants in Multan completed the 11-week “NextGen Global E-Commerce – Multan 2026” PUAN Grant, building practical skills in e-commerce, digital design, online storefront development, and AI-enabled workflows.

Led by Arbish Shahid, our English Access Microscholarship Program 2015–2017 alumna, the project prepared participants to explore Etsy storefronts, freelance design, and opportunities in international digital markets.

And some participants are already putting those skills into action. Two participants created their own T-shirt designs and began generating sales, one recorded 8 sales and another 4 sales within just one week.

Implemented under the PUAN theme “Workforce Readiness for Trade, Technology & Investment,” the project connected practical digital skills with entrepreneurship, professional development, and opportunities in the digital economy.

As the project concludes, participants now have an opportunity to continue developing their storefronts, freelance skills, and online businesses beyond the training.

Read more Here

PUAN Grant “Open Voices” Explores the Future of Journalism

How are AI, digital platforms, and new media models reshaping the future of journalism?

Through the PUAN Grant “Open Voices,” 44 U.S. exchange alumni, journalists, media professionals, civil society representatives, and media students came together in Karachi to explore digital innovation, media entrepreneurship, and the changing role of technology in journalism.

Led by Najia Ashar, our East-West Center Grant (EWCG) 2013 alumna, the conference featured teasers and explainer videos produced through the initiative, along with a panel on ethical and credible journalism in the digital era.

Journalists and media professionals explored opportunities in media entrepreneurship, the scalability of digital platforms, and how credibility and accountability can be maintained as AI and other digital tools become increasingly integrated into media workflows.

The PUAN Grant reflects how exchange alumni can bring professional networks and expertise together to explore practical opportunities in digital innovation and an evolving media economy.

Read more Here

Apply Now to Join USEFP Team as 𝐈𝐓 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫 (𝐏𝐔𝐀𝐍)

The United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) is looking for an experienced IT Developer to join the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) team in Islamabad.

For complete job responsibilities, qualifications, and application details, please visit the job site: Brightspyre

Update Your Profiles to Be Part of Exciting Opportunities Coming Up Next at PUAN

As PUAN continues to expand opportunities for alumni across Pakistan, we invite all members to take a few minutes to review and update their profiles on the PUAN alumni portal. Keeping your profile updated is essential to ensure you remain eligible for upcoming programs. It also helps us better connect you with opportunities that align with your skills, interests, and professional goals. With a network of over 45,000 alumni, PUAN is committed to creating meaningful engagement and impact, but this starts with having accurate and up-to-date information from our members. Updating your PUAN profiles also helps us connect you with initiatives that best match your skills, interests, and professional goals. It also enhances your visibility within the alumni network and ensures that you receive timely updates and important communications. We encourage all alumni to log in to the PUAN portal today and make sure their information is complete and up to date, your next opportunity with PUAN could be just one update away. Click here to update your information on PUAN Alumni Portal.

Lincoln Corners Pakistan

Lincoln Corners are partnerships between the U.S. Embassy and local institutions across Pakistan, serving as American-style cultural and educational centers. They are multi-media resource hubs offering access to reliable information about the United States, American English teaching and learning, strategic cultural programs, professional skills building, and resources for U.S. higher education.  We encourage all PUAN alumni to promote these Corners! They provide WiFi and internet access for visitors and engage local audiences through meaningful programs. Visit the website of Lincoln Corners for the Corner nearest you.

Join Our PUAN Facebook Groups

Don’t miss out on what’s happening right in your area! The Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) is powered by 14 chapters across the country, and your local chapter is the best way to network, collaborate, and connect with fellow alumni in your city or region. Each of these chapters maintains a dedicated closed Facebook group, serving as your go-to space for local event announcements, chapter-specific project discussions, and instant networking opportunities. We encourage you to find and join your respective chapter’s closed group today. Simply search for your chapter name on Facebook and request to join or simply click here. Let’s build a stronger, more engaged local network together!