ISLAMABAD: US Charge d’Affaires to Pakistan Natalie A Baker has highlighted opportunities to expand US-Pakistan cooperation in trade, investment, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, emphasising the role of American innovation and private sector partnerships in creating jobs, expanding opportunity and advancing shared prosperity.
“For more than two decades, the United States has been Pakistan’s largest export market and a leading source of investment,” Baker said during a visit to Lahore.
She said the United States was committed to working with Pakistan’s private sector, innovators, universities and government to expand trade and investment and build partnerships that delivered lasting prosperity under the current Trump administration.
The US charge d’affaires met Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and her adviser on artificial intelligence and special initiatives, Ali Dar, and discussed opportunities in emerging technologies, higher education and innovation.
Their engagements underscored the importance of policies and partnerships that encourage investment, entrepreneurship and technological innovation, according to the US Embassy in Islamabad.
It added that Baker’s meetings with business leaders, technology innovators and government officials showed how the United States and Pakistan could deepen commercial ties and strengthen collaboration in high-growth sectors.
At the opening of American restaurant PF Chang’s newest location in Lahore, Baker highlighted the benefits of US-Pakistani commercial partnerships, noting that bilateral trade exceeded $8 billion in 2025.
At US-based NetSol Technologies, CodeNinja and Game District, she saw firsthand Pakistan’s growing technology sector and discussed opportunities to expand cooperation in software development, digital services and artificial intelligence.
Also, the US charge d’affaires met with students at the National Institute of Technology to highlight the partnership between NIT and Arizona State University — an example of how American education excellence can create new opportunities for students and strengthen economic ties.
As the chief guest at a roundtable, she highlighted the US leadership in artificial intelligence and the importance of trusted partnerships in translating innovation into economic growth, job creation and shared prosperity.
