Curated by the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network, this latest edition of our fortnightly newsletter brings you a dynamic mix of professional updates, academic opportunities, and community engagements created with our alumni in mind. Stay connected, grow your network, and explore new possibilities, delivered to your inbox every two weeks.
America at 250: Strength, Sovereignty, and Shared Opportunity with Pakistan
America at 250 isn’t just an anniversary, it’s a moment of renewal focused on strength, institutions, and forward-looking partnership. Read more here.
U.S. Embassy Islamabad Hosts IVLP Alumni Reception and Certificate Ceremony
The Embassy of the United States of America in Islamabad hosted a reception and certificate ceremony on January 23, 2026, at Lincoln Corner, USEFP Building, honoring Islamabad-based recipients of the 2025 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The event brought together professionals from diverse walks of light who highlighted the impact of the IVLP program during the discussion. Senior U.S. Embassy officials attended, reaffirming the Mission’s commitment to alumni engagement and people-to-people diplomacy. Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Zach Harkenrider highlighted the program’s role in building lasting professional connections and mutual understanding. He personally distributed certificates to the 2025 IVLP participants, recognizing their contributions and completion of the program. Alumni shared how the IVLP experience strengthened their leadership skills, expanded networks, and deepened understanding of U.S. governance and best practices, emphasizing continued engagement with U.S. counterparts to address challenges such as health security, energy, and law enforcement.
The reception reaffirmed USEFP’s and the U.S. Mission’s commitment to supporting alumni as active leaders applying international experience to local challenges, further strengthening U.S.–Pakistan ties.
Freedom 250: Strengthening Healthcare Governance Through Exchange Experience
Congratulations to Dr. Zaeem Zia on his appointment as CEO of the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority. A Fulbright alumnus, Dr. Zaeem brings U.S. exchange experience in public health policy and leadership to strengthening healthcare regulation in Pakistan. Read more here.
Freedom 250 Lecture Series Launch Highlights Sports, Leadership, and Innovation
Sports, entrepreneurship, and innovation came together at the launch of the Freedom 250 Lecture Series in Islamabad. Hosted at the new USEFP building, the event featured Donna Carpenter of Burton Snowboards and Pakistani athlete Samar Khan, who engaged youth, athletes, and professionals on how sports can inspire leadership, resilience, and economic opportunity across borders.
Freedom 250: From U.S. Exchange to Global Markets-Strengthening U.S.–Pakistan Trade Through Pakistani Mango Exports
From learning U.S. packaging standards to exporting Pakistani mangoes to American markets, this is exchange-driven impact in action. A Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT) Program alumnus (2014), Muhammad Sameer Rah applied his U.S. exchange learning in food safety, packaging, and compliance to strengthen Pakistan’s mango exports to the United States. Today, as Head of Marketing & Exports at F.A. International, he leads sustained trade engagement with U.S. importers, turning knowledge exchange into long-term economic partnership. His story highlights how U.S. exchange programs empower Pakistani professionals to meet global standards, build trust with U.S. counterparts, and contribute meaningfully to bilateral trade. Read more here.
Claiming What Is Rightfully Hers: Jamaima Afridi’s Documentary on Women’s Inheritance Rights
In Pakistan’s merged districts, women’s inheritance rights are often silenced. Through her PUAN Alumni Small Grants project, journalist and English Access alumna Jamaima Afridi used documentary filmmaking to amplify real stories, challenge misconceptions, and provide legal and religious clarity on women’s right to inheritance. Screened across former FATA and now available online, the film continues to spark dialogue and inspire action.
Get Ready: PUAN Grants Announcement Coming Soon
PUAN Grants Program 2026 will open for proposals on February 13, 2026. To support interested alumni, PUAN is hosting in-person grant orientation workshops in Peshawar, Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore, offering guidance on the application process and key requirements.
Registration deadline: February 12, 2026 Participants must register in advance and select one location only. Please note that travel and accommodation arrangements will be the responsibility of participants. View full schedule and register through the link.
Call for Stories: Freedom 250 Alumni Pictorial Stories
To mark 250 years of U.S. leadership and global engagement, the Pakistan–U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) invites alumni to contribute to the Freedom 250 Alumni Storytelling Campaign, a year-long digital initiative showcasing how U.S. exchange experiences are creating real-world impact in Pakistan and beyond. Alumni are encouraged to submit pictorial stories (photos + text) highlighting how U.S.-informed ideas, skills, and values influence their professional, academic, entrepreneurial, or community work. Stories should reflect at least one Freedom 250 theme, such as U.S.–Pakistan economic engagement, innovation and collaboration, people-to-people partnerships, or leadership shaped by exchange experiences, and include a forward-looking call to action.
Submissions should include a written story of 400–500 words, accompanied by 3–4 high-quality photographs that reflect your work, engagement, or impact. Content may be submitted in English or Urdu and must clearly demonstrate a strong connection between your U.S. exchange experience and your current professional, academic, entrepreneurial, or community impact. Send your stories on: pakistanusalumninetwork@gmail.com.
Applications Open Now for 2027 Fulbright Student Program
The 2027 Fulbright Student Program is now accepting applications! Fulbright is the U.S. government’s flagship educational exchange program and provides funding for graduate studies, including Master’s or PhD degrees. This covers tuition, required textbooks, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance. Check your eligibility and apply today at www.usefp.org The application deadline is April 1, 2026! The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for all applicants. If you have any questions, please reach out via info@usefp.org
Lincoln Corners Pakistan
Lincoln Corners are partnerships between the U.S. Embassy and local institutions across Pakistan, serving as American-style cultural and information centers. They are multi-media resource hubs offering access to reliable information about the U.S., English language learning, and a venue for cultural programs and open dialogue. PUAN members are strongly encouraged to utilize these centers for networking, hosting alumni events, accessing eLibraryUSA research databases, and connecting with local communities. We encourage all PUAN alumni to actively make use of these Corners! They are ideal venues for networking, hosting alumni-led activities, conducting training sessions, accessing eLibraryUSA research databases, and engaging with local communities through meaningful programs. Visit the website of Lincoln Corners to find the Corner nearest you and explore collaboration possibilities.
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!
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.
