At a recent gathering at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, a frank conversation unfolded among “Pakistan Watchers”-former US ambassadors and diplomats, think tank experts, policy veterans, and Pakistani-Americans.
The discussion yielded sobering insights and promising pathways for recalibrating a relationship that has oscillated between strategic convergence and mutual frustration for over seven decades. The consensus was clear: the US-Pakistan relationship stands at an inflexion point, one that demands moving beyond episodic transactionalism toward an enduring, multifaceted partnership.
The most striking revelation from the discussion was how few American policymakers grasp a fundamental demographic reality: Pakistan is the world’s fifth-largest nation with 250 million people, projected to become the third-largest by 2050. It represents an enormous economic market and geopolitical actor that consistently punches below its weight on the global stage. More troubling, Pakistanis themselves often fail to recognise their country’s scale and act accordingly, making policy decisions that undermine their own strategic interests.
Pakistan’s recent visa policy reversal epitomises this self-sabotage. After decades of maintaining an archaic visa regime, Islamabad finally implemented a progressive online visa-on-arrival system and eliminated visa fees-moves warmly welcomed by visitors and investors alike. Then, without warning or deliberation, the policy was reversed mere weeks later, citing vague security concerns. Such haphazard governance sends alarming signals to potential partners and investors, suggesting that Pakistan has yet to internalise what serious global engagement requires: policy consistency, transparency, and strategic patience. The relationship’s evolution from purely transactional to potentially strategic is encouraging, particularly given the current rapport between President Trump and Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership. However, this leader-to-leader chemistry, while valuable, remains dangerously fragile. Personalities change; administrations transition. What Pakistan urgently needs is institutional depth-robust connections spanning both houses of Congress, across party lines, and extending deep into American civil society.
This requires mobilising and organising the Pakistani diaspora, which remains surprisingly underutilised as a strategic asset. The challenge is acute: much of the diaspora is currently fixated on the political fortunes of Imran Khan rather than broader national interests. Pakistan must foster a “Pakistan First” ethos among its overseas citizens, channelling their energy toward building vibrant congressional caucuses, educational exchanges, and business networks that outlast any single political moment.
With 85 million Gen Z members, Pakistan possesses either an extraordinary dividend or a ticking time bomb; the difference depends entirely on channelling these energies productively.
The sectoral partnership between the two nations must expand far beyond its traditional security and counterterrorism focus. While these concerns remain legitimate, a truly strategic relationship encompasses economic vitality, technological innovation, and human capital development. Pakistan needs to conduct comprehensive investment mapping that includes not just mega-industries-gold, precious metals, critical minerals, and rare earth elements where Pakistan holds significant reserves-but also the complete business-to-business value chain across large, medium, and small enterprises.
The automotive sector presents a compelling case for American investment. Pakistan’s automotive market offers substantial potential for US automakers. Establishing American automotive production plants in Pakistan would create thousands of jobs, transfer critical manufacturing expertise, and position American brands advantageously in a market that is growing exponentially, where buyers wait for months after placing an order for their vehicle. Aside from the large domestic market, Pakistan’s strategic location provides access to Central Asian, ME and SA markets. Automotive brands will positively impact America’s negative image in Pakistan, while opening Pakistan to millions in US exports in the form of car parts to assemble the vehicles.
Agriculture also presents an immediate opportunity. Pakistan’s agri-value chain sustains 100 million people, yet small farmers struggle with outdated techniques in food processing, dairy production, and supply chain management. American agricultural expertise, technology transfers, and joint ventures could revolutionise productivity while strengthening food security for both nations and the broader region.
Perhaps the most consequential arena for partnership lies in Pakistan’s youth bulge. With 85 million Gen Z members, Pakistan possesses either an extraordinary dividend or a ticking time bomb-the difference depends entirely on channelling these energies productively. The United States faces acute worker shortages in information technology, nursing, elderly care, hospitality, and skilled trades. A strategic workforce development initiative could train Pakistani youth for these sectors, creating legal migration pathways that benefit both economies while providing Pakistan’s young people with dignity, purpose, and prosperity.
Additional partnership areas deserve urgent attention. Educational partnerships should extend beyond elite scholarship programs to vocational training, community colleges, and digital literacy initiatives that reach Pakistan’s underserved populations.
Technology and innovation partnerships might prove most transformative. Pakistan’s burgeoning IT sector, already contributing significantly to exports, could benefit enormously from Silicon Valley collaboration, venture capital access, and joint research initiatives in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and financial technology.
The path forward requires Pakistan to embrace consistency, transparency, and long-term strategic thinking while broadening engagement across American society. It demands that the United States recognise Pakistan not as a periodic security problem but as a consequential nation whose stability, prosperity, and trajectory will shape South Asia and beyond for generations. Both nations must move beyond the transactional reflexes that have defined their past toward the institutional depth and multisectoral cooperation that enduring partnerships require.
The writer is a freelance columnist.