Bilawal urges global investors to acknowledge talent of Pakistani youth

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday met a high-profile delegation comprising parliamentarians from the United Kingdom, Norway, and Austria, along with global technology and investment leaders, under the Dialogue Pakistan initiative.

During the meeting, wide-ranging discussions were held on bilateral cooperation in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, technology, IT, and long-term foreign direct investment (FDI).

The PPP chief emphasised that Pakistan is a “reliable friend” and remains keen to work with its international partners to unlock mutual economic opportunities.He said Pakistan wants to expand partnerships in digital transformation, innovation, and emerging technologies, calling on global investors to acknowledge the talent of Pakistani youth, the country’s startup ecosystem, and its growing capacity in the tech sector.

Collaboration in digital security, hybrid warfare response, and tackling disinformation was also identified as a priority.The delegation briefed the PPP chairman on strengthening Pakistan’s media and digital ecosystem, while discussions also covered education, healthcare, women’s economic empowerment, and social inclusion.Regional peace, transit trade, economic corridors, and Pakistan’s role as a geo-economic hub were key topics of the exchange.Bilawal expressed agreement with proposals to enhance Pakistan’s connectivity and trade relations with Afghanistan, Central Asia and Gulf markets. Both sides also discussed public-private partnerships, joint ventures, and long-term FDI.

Members of the delegation acknowledged Pakistan’s positive diplomatic, economic and security advances in recent years. Hosted by Ali J. Siddiqui -- Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States; Board Member, OnZero Imran H. Shaikh — Deputy Chief Executive Officer, BankIslami; Director, Jahangir Siddiqui & Co. Ltd.Participants from the United Kingdom, Norway Austria, 1. Simon Stevens — Member, House of Lords (UK); Chair, UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency; Chair, King’s College London 2. Himanshu Gulati — Member of Parliament (Norway); Second Vice Chair, Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs & Defence 3. Veit Dengler — Member of Parliament (Austria); Founder, Draw.Solutions Global Technology, Investment & Policy Leaders 4. Yasmin Green — Chief Executive Officer, Jigsaw (Google) 5. Shadi Martini — Chief Executive Officer, MultiFaith Alliance 6. Allan Adams — Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Aquatic Labs 7. Steven Wayne — Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Jensen Group 8. Thomas McLeod — President & Partner, Saltwater 9. Evan Marwell — Founder & Chief Executive Officer, EducationSuperHighway 10. Christopher Hale — Former Nominee for U.S. Congress; Co-Founder, Behind The Lines 11. Patrycja Slawuta — Founder, SelfHackathon & UnLab 12. Igor Zhadanov — Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Readdle Inc. 13. Stephanie Choo — General Partner, Portage Ventures 14. Sarah Robinson — Global Transformation Advisor, Signal & Sage Strategies 15. Michael Weigand — Founder & CEO, Stealth Defense Tech Startup 16. Lee Cullum — Senior Fellow & Journalist, John Tower Center for Public Policy & International Affairs 17. Diana Chapman — Advisor to Exceptional Leaders; Adjunct Lecturer, Stanford University 18. Fatima Kardar — Vice President, Xbox–Microsoft 19. Edwin Dorsey — Founder & Writer, The Bear Cave 20. Kate Bowler — Professor of Religious Studies, Duke University 21. Dr. Maria Calipso Reif-Pröll — Founder & General Practitioner, Praxis Dr. Maria Calipso 22. Maria Mittermair — Vice President, Austrian-Pakistan Society 23. Raza Munir — Advisor, Atomic 24. Ali Alvi — Group Program Manager, Microsoft Turing Pakistan Organizing Team 25. Neena Shaikh — Product Head, JS Bank 26. Hasan Saeed Akbar — Head of Marketing & Strategy, BankIslami 27. Jamil Ahmed Memon — Head of Administration, JS Bank.