Dear PUAN Tribe,
Over the past two weeks, the Pakistan–U.S. Alumni Network has continued to demonstrate the power of alumni leadership, innovation, and community engagement. This edition highlights the launch of new PUAN Grants initiatives, celebrates alumni achievements in entrepreneurship and cross-cultural collaboration, and showcases the positive impact our network is creating across Pakistan. We also invite alumni to take part in the newly launched PUAN Economic Policy Challenge, an opportunity to contribute innovative policy ideas that strengthen Pakistan’s economic future while deepening U.S.–Pakistan cooperation.
Applications Open for the First-Ever PUAN Economic Policy Challenge
Applications are now open for the inaugural PUAN Economic Policy Challenge, a flagship initiative of the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) in partnership with the U.S. Mission to Pakistan. The two-day, case-based competition will bring together approximately 70 PUAN alumni from across Pakistan to develop practical, evidence-based solutions to key economic policy challenges under the theme: “How can Pakistan build a more competitive, prosperous, and globally integrated economy?” Selected participants will work in multidisciplinary teams to analyze real-world policy scenarios and present their recommendations to senior government and private-sector stakeholders. The U.S. Mission to Pakistan will cover eligible travel, lodging, and meals for selected participants in accordance with the PUAN Travel Policy. Applications close: Friday, July 31, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. (PST). Read more details here.
Pre-Departure Orientation for 2026 Fulbright Cohort
The United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) hosted a pre-departure orientation in Islamabad for 85 Fulbright grantees preparing to begin master’s and Ph.D. studies at leading universities across the United States this fall. The 2026 cohort includes 71 master’s students, 14 Ph.D. scholars, and 6 Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Fellows, representing every province of Pakistan and a wide range of academic disciplines. Jointly funded by the governments of the United States and Pakistan, the Fulbright Program continues to strengthen academic excellence and foster lasting ties between the two countries.
PUAN Grant Equips Young Women in Balochistan with Workforce and Entrepreneurship Skills for the Digital Economy
Around 45 students from Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University, Quetta, strengthened their skills in entrepreneurship, digital literacy, e-commerce, career readiness, and investment through a two-day training under the PUAN Grants Program 2026. Led by Dr. Furqan Ul-Haq Siddiqui, a 2017 alumnus of the U.S.-Pakistan University Partnerships Program (UPUPP), the initiative supports the U.S. Mission to Pakistan’s commitment to preparing young Pakistanis for opportunities in trade, technology, and entrepreneurship. Read more about Dr. Furqan’s grant here.
Multan Youth Gets Trained on Digital Trade and E-Commerce Skills under PUAN Grant
South Punjab youth are building skills for the global digital economy! Participants of the NextGen Global E-Commerce – Multan 2026 project have completed training in Etsy, Shopify, graphic design, and business writing, preparing them to launch export-ready online businesses. Led by English Access (2015–2017) alumna Arbish Shahid, the project is supported by the U.S. Mission to Pakistan in partnership with PUAN under PUAN Grant. Next, participants will begin the practical phase by setting up Payoneer accounts, linking Pakistani bank accounts, and launching their own Etsy stores. Read more about Arbish’s grant here.
PUAN Grant Equips Gilgit-Baltistan Youth with Essential Workforce Readiness Skills
PUAN Grant Equips Gilgit-Baltistan Youth with Essential Workforce Readiness Skills! Young people in Gilgit-Baltistan are building the skills they need to thrive in tomorrow’s workforce. Under the PUAN Grants Program 2026, Dr. Aftab Ahmed Khan, a Fulbright Scholar (2021–2022), led NextGen GB: Soft Skills for Youth Workforce Readiness at Karakoram International University (KIU) Hunza Campus. Supported by the U.S. Embassy Pakistan in partnership with the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN), the five-day workshop brought together 33 university students for hands-on training in communication, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and career readiness, equipping them with the professional competencies needed to succeed in today’s technology-driven economy. Read more about Dr. Aftab Ahmed’s grant here.
Freedom 250 Speaker Series Highlights U.S. Best Practices for Strengthening Pakistan’s Energy Sector
How can U.S. energy planning help shape a more reliable and efficient power sector in Pakistan? As part of the Freedom 250 Speaker Series, the U.S. Mission to Pakistan hosted Asjadullah Qureshi, IVLP 2025 alumnus and Deputy Director, NEPRA, for an engaging discussion on American approaches to integrated energy planning, data-driven decision-making, and institutional coordination. Drawing on insights from his U.S. exchange experience, Qureshi highlighted how these best practices can strengthen Pakistan’s energy sector by improving long-term planning, enhancing efficiency, and supporting sustainable economic growth.
Freedom 250: Shaikh Imtiaz Hussain is Expanding Pakistan’s Agricultural Exports Through Innovation and Global Partnerships
Shaikh Imtiaz Hussain is taking Pakistan’s agricultural exports to the global stage through innovation, quality, and international partnerships. A PUAN Karachi Chapter member and alumnus of the U.S. Department of State’s 2016 Exposure and Study Tour on Cold Storage and Transportation, he transformed a family wholesale business into a leading export enterprise. Today, he is embracing digital trade, AI, and value-added processing to expand Pakistan’s presence in global markets. Read more Imtiaz’s story here.
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!
