Dear PUAN Tribe,
Welcome to the latest edition of PUAN Voices, covering September 5–18, 2026. This fortnight, we spotlight the PUAN Economic Policy Challenge 2026, where U.S. exchange alumni developed and presented practical recommendations on key economic priorities; the launch of activities marking the 80th anniversary of the Fulbright Program; and new career opportunities at USEFP Islamabad.
We also bring you updates from across the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network, highlighting alumni expertise, professional engagement, innovation, and opportunities that connect exchange experiences with practical outcomes across Pakistan.
PUAN Economic Policy Challenge Day 1 Puts U.S. Exchange Learning to Work on Pakistan’s Economic Priorities
10 teams! 10 economic policy challenges! From diagnosing core issues to developing roadmaps for action! Supported by U.S. Embassy Pakistan, day 1 of the PUAN Economic Policy Challenge 2026 brought together 65 U.S. exchange alumni representing 14 PUAN chapters, along with six international participants from Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, and Bangladesh, in Islamabad.
Opening the Challenge, Heidi Smith, Director of Public Engagement at the U.S. Embassy Islamabad, encouraged alumni to look beyond the symptoms, diagnose the core issues, identify priorities, and develop a clear roadmap for action. Jay Kim, Senior Trade and Investment Officer at the U.S. Embassy Islamabad, discussed Pakistan’s economic policy choices and U.S.-Pakistan commercial engagement, emphasizing the importance of listening to alumni and the perspectives they bring to the table. Across ten teams, participants tackled policy questions spanning foreign investment, trade and export competitiveness, taxation, energy security, AI and technology, institutional reform, capital allocation, Pakistan’s global brand, long-term economic planning, and investor confidence.
Throughout the day, teams moved from problem diagnosis and constraint mapping to policy options, prioritization, implementation planning, and pitch development. Drawing on American excellence, ideas, professional practices, and approaches encountered through their U.S. exchange experiences, alumni are developing practical policy roadmaps adapted to Pakistan’s context. Implemented in partnership with Accountability Lab Pakistan, the Challenge continues tomorrow as teams turn their roadmaps into policy pitches before the jury. Read more here.
PUAN Economic Policy Challenge Day 2 Turns U.S. Exchange Learning into Policy Roadmaps for Pakistan’s Economic Future
From roadmaps to results! Ten teams stood before a senior jury at the PUAN Economic Policy Challenge 2026, pitching the policy recommendations they built over two intensive days, defending their thinking, answering hard questions, and making the case for real, implementable ideas.
Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim Andy Halus, U.S. Embassy Pakistan closed the Challenge, marking the U.S. Freedom 250 anniversary and reflecting on the ten policy areas teams tackled, from investment to institutional reform. “Two hundred fifty years ago, a small group of people bet on a bold idea and built a nation. This week, I watched alumni make that same kind of bet on Pakistan’s economic future,” he said. Federal Minister and Board of Investment Chairman Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh also joined, underscoring the importance of connecting policy thinking to Pakistan’s investment priorities.
Congratulations to our top three teams! And to every participant: what we asked of you these two days was genuinely difficult. You rose to it. Read more here.
Fulbright 80th Anniversary Conversations Open with Cybersecurity Lessons on Scams in Pakistan
USEFP kicked off its Fulbright 80th Anniversary Conversations series last week with a session on “Scams in Pakistan: Real Stories and Real Lessons”, delivered by Dr. Saad Islam, a Fulbright alumnus and Ph.D. in Cybersecurity from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Moderated by USEFP Executive Director Dr. Peter Moran, the session brought together Fulbright and Humphrey alumni from academia, banking, finance, and the development sector in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Dr. Islam shared real-world insights and practical tips on spotting fake accounts, fraudulent websites, and spam emails. The session closed with a lively Q&A, as several alumni shared their own experiences with scams. Read more here.
PUAN Grant Creates a Platform for Young Artists in Gwadar
Global Undergraduate Exchange Program 2021 alumna Parveen Noor is putting her U.S. exchange experience into action in Gwadar. Through her PUAN Connect Project, “Creative Gwadar: Youth Art Innovation Workshop & Community Exhibition,” around 20 students and emerging artists took part in hands-on activities including painting, sketching, and collaborative artwork before presenting their work through a community exhibition.
The project connected artistic skills, freedom of expression, and creative innovation while giving young participants a platform to turn their ideas into work they could share with their community. Read more about Parveen’s grant here.
Apply Now to Join USEFP Team
USEFP is hiring for two positions in Islamabad. PUAN members who meet the requirements are encouraged to apply.
- Event Planning Program Assistant View details and apply.
- Innovation Center Coordinator View details and apply.
Application deadline: September 21, 2026. Please review the job descriptions for eligibility, responsibilities, and application instructions.
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!
