Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fostering “good relations,” with India through a “meaningful and constructive,” dialogue.
“Our primary significance in the broader South Asian region is good relations between India and Pakistan. We can develop those by overcoming the problems that we have through meaningful, constructive, result-oriented dialogue,” Ambassador Sheikh told South Asian Herald at the Embassy of Pakistan.
Ambassador Sheikh highlighted Pakistan’s pivot toward a geoeconomic-driven foreign policy, emphasizing the need for a “peaceful neighborhood.” He also underscored the importance of revitalizing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to strengthen regional cooperation.
SAARC, comprising India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, has remained largely inactive in recent years due to geopolitical tensions.
The Washington Diplomat’s Ambassador Insider Series
Ambassador Sheikh was speaking at The Washington Diplomat’s Ambassador Insider Series: Pakistan, held on January 28, 2025.
Publisher of The Washington Diplomat, Victor Shiblie, expressed his gratitude to the Ambassador for participating in the event. He recalled the Ambassador’s previous role as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy when he hosted an earlier edition of the Ambassador Series. Sheikh assumed office as the Ambassador in August 2024.
Adrienne Ross, a former journalist and State Department advisor, interviewed Ambassador Sheikh on various topics, including his country’s domestic affairs and global trade partnerships.
Freedom of Speech & Pakistan’s New Social Media Law
Addressing concerns over Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2025, with an amendment, the Ambassador clarified its intent to regulate digital and social media content responsibly. During the discussion, in addition to Pakistan, the Ambassador highlighted growing concerns, both in the United States and worldwide, about the accuracy of information shared on social media, often labeled as “fake news.”
He noted that governments worldwide, including Australia, have implemented similar regulations to protect children, curb misinformation, and protect public, political, and social interests. “Pakistan believes that each country is entitled to deal with them in their own ways and regulate them in accordance with the laws of the country,” he said.
When asked whether the Act would limit the freedom of speech of Pakistan’s vibrant media, Ambassador Sheikh, a former broadcaster, emphasized the importance of credible information in the media platforms. He stressed he was trained in “responsible journalism.”
“So that is where the target of this new legislation lies, and the best thing would be to let’s see how it unfolds in practice,” he remarked.
President Asif Ali Zardari signed the Act into law on January 29th, a day after its passage in the Senate.
Tech Sector & Strengthening U.S.-Pakistan Trade Relations
The Ambassador expressed optimism about Pakistan’s growing technology sector, calling it “the most promising prospect for us from a futuristic standpoint not only for us as a nation, but for the world.”
He highlighted Pakistan’s recent IT Investment Conference in Silicon Valley on November 10, noting that more such engagements are in the pipeline to strengthen U.S.-Pakistan tech collaborations.
On trade relations, Ambassador Sheikh described the U.S. as Pakistan’s “largest trading partner,” and emphasized his priority to advance “economic diplomacy,” through increased trade and investment.
“Trade is a facet of relationship that has stood all tests of time between our countries,” he stated about Pakistan-US trade relationship.
Pakistan’s Role in Global Sports Manufacturing
On a lighter note, he highlighted Pakistan’s reputation as a leading manufacturer of high-quality soccer balls, stating that the country has supplied balls for the past three soccer World Cups and will continue this legacy for the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
Additionally, he lauded Sialkot, a city of Pakistan, as a major global hub for sports gear and surgical tools manufacturing.
Investment Opportunities & Pakistan’s Competitive Advantage
Encouraging foreign investments, Ambassador Sheikh highlighted Pakistan’s cost-effective labor market, stating that labor costs in Pakistan are “174% less than in China.” While acknowledging rising living costs due to high energy prices, he asserted, “We feel that the cost of living has been going up in Pakistan, mainly for reasons of energy bills that have been on the higher side lately. But still, Pakistan, in terms of cost of production, is among the most cost-effective places in the world.”
He pointed out that major economies, including Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, have committed to investing in Pakistan’s agriculture, mining, energy, and infrastructure sectors. He extended an open invitation to U.S. investors, emphasizing Pakistan’s “strategic location” and “geopolitical significance.”
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) & Regional Connectivity
Ambassador Sheikh described the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a “consequence,” to Pakistan’s geoeconomic importance.
Pakistan is strategically placed in a region of the world between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, he noted, referring to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
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