Pakistan’s Trade and Investment Engagement with US Midwest Grows Rapidly
By Elaine Pasquini
Chicago: Tariq Karim, Consul General of Pakistan in Chicago, hosted a luncheon in honor of Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, on September 7, 2025. The event, held at the Consulate General, brought together a distinguished gathering of prominent community members and senior elected officials, including Democratic US Congressman Jonathan Jackson and Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin.
In his keynote address, Ambassador Sheikh reflected on the significance of Pakistan’s Defense Day and the enduring spirit of Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos, Pakistan’s retaliatory military and drone strike against India in May this year which symbolized the resilience of the Pakistani nation and the valor of its armed forces. He also underscored Pakistan’s key strengths and achievements, including its strategic geographic location, abundant human and natural resources, demographic dividend and growing tech ecosystem.
The Ambassador spoke about various dimensions of the Pakistan–US relationship, highlighting its strength and potential—particularly in the areas of economic cooperation, trade and investment.
Ambassador Sheikh emphasized the pivotal role of the Pakistani-American community as a dynamic bridge between the two countries. Praising their contributions to strengthening bilateral interaction, he encouraged them to remain engaged, renew their commitment to Pakistan’s development, and explore and exploit opportunities to invest in its future and promote a positive image of the country.
The event also featured an interactive session, during which the Ambassador responded to questions from community members on a wide range of topics.
Ambassador Sheikh also commended Consul General Tariq Karim for his outstanding service and dedication during his tenure in Chicago.
Earlier, Consul General Karim welcomed the Ambassador, outlining the Consulate General’s key priorities and recent achievements. He highlighted the growing partnership between Pakistan and the US Midwest, marked by increased trade, investment, and people-to-people connections. He also expressed gratitude to the Pakistani American community and friends of Pakistan for their continued support and collaboration.
The event concluded on a note of unity and optimism, reaffirming a shared commitment to Pakistan’s development and the continued strengthening of Pakistan–US relations.
While in Chicago, Ambassador Sheikh was also the guest of honor at a business roundtable hosted by The Pakistani American Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce (PACCC). Consul General Karim was also a special guest in attendance at the gathering, along with prominent members of the Pakistani-American business community and industry leaders from diverse sectors, including textiles, apparel, technology, energy, healthcare and venture capital.
Addressing the group, Ambassador Sheikh emphasized the significance of the Pakistan–US trade and investment partnership, noting that the United States is Pakistan’s largest export destination. He reiterated his government’s commitment to expanding bilateral trade in the coming years for the mutual benefit of the longtime allies.
The Ambassador highlighted Pakistan’s dynamic and forward-looking investment environment, supported by competitive incentives, a skilled young workforce, and expanding infrastructure. He also noted Pakistan’s strategic geographic location as a natural hub for regional trade and connectivity, linking South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East.
Briefing the participants on the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) as a single-window operation for foreign investors and institutional underwriter of policy continuity, he invited American businesses to explore emerging opportunities in IT, trade, agriculture, energy, healthcare, mining and minerals.
Ambassador Sheikh affirmed that the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, DC, along with the Consulate General in Chicago, remained fully committed to advancing economic diplomacy geared to positioning Pakistan as a reliable, long-term partner for US investors and traders.
The leadership of PACCC, including President Naveed Anwar and Dr Tariq Butt, shared the Chamber’s vision and objectives. They noted that PACCC, launched in April 2025, was conceptualized in close consultation with the Consul General to promote economic collaboration and diaspora-led entrepreneurship.
Participants discussed ways to improve access to US markets, strengthen institutional linkages with Pakistani industry and foster greater business-to-business engagement.
Consul General Karim thanked the PACCC leadership for turning the Chamber’s vision into reality and appreciated efforts to connect business communities in both countries. He reported that Pakistan’s trade and investment engagement with the US Midwest is rapidly growing and reaffirmed the Consulate General’s commitment to supporting diaspora entrepreneurs and fostering connections with valued partners in Pakistan.
PACCC members also reiterated their support for organizing future trade delegations, investment forums and business promotion events to further deepen bilateral commercial ties. They assured the Ambassador of their full support in advancing shared objectives.
Rounding off his visit to the Windy City, Ambassador Sheikh attended a special briefing at the headquarters of the Physicians Revenue Group, the largest US-based medical billing company operating in Pakistan. He commended the organization on its vital role in strengthening Pakistan-US healthcare and technology collaboration and highlighted the significant contributions of diaspora-led businesses to bilateral economic ties.
(Elaine Pasquini is a freelance journalist. Her reports appear in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs and Nuze.Ink.)
