Why one of Austin’s top AI founders says he is ‘incredibly long Pakistan’
Amir Husain, who sits on the advisory boards of LUMS and AAASE, says the numbers show Pakistan’s moment has arrived. His answers on what it takes to build here are more revealing. Having lived in Austin for 30 years, Amir Husain says, “I look at myself as a bit of a global citizen, and I can be where I need to be.” The founder of SparkCognition, the AI company now called Avathon that reached a…
Amir Husain, a prominent AI founder based in Austin, believes Pakistan is poised for a significant rise on the global stage. As a global citizen living in Austin for 30 years, Husain recently joined the University Advisory Board of Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and the first Industrial Advisory Board of Asian American Academy of Sciences and Engineering (AAASE).
Husain's optimism stems from the impressive growth of Pakistan's stock market. While the KSE-100 index was around 1,200 points when he left Pakistan in 1996, it could potentially surpass the 200,000-point mark in the near future. Adjusted for the Rupee's depreciation, the Pakistani market has either met or exceeded the US index, depending on the measurement day.
The founder emphasizes three key pillars driving Pakistan's growth: energy, industry, and government policies. Despite security challenges, political instability, and devastating floods, Pakistan's energy sector has made significant strides, with solar power accounting for around 25% of the electricity produced. The country is also a major importer of Chinese solar panels.
In terms of industry, Husain highlights the rise of local automobile assembly and upcoming aviation exports, with batteries also gaining traction. These developments show a structural lift independent of government policies.
For Pakistan to be recognized globally, Husain suggests focusing on credit ratings, bond pricing, and GDP figures, which currently range from $420 to $430 billion. He believes accurate GDP reporting could qualify Pakistan for increased foreign capital.
Regarding brain drain, Husain argues that the best contribution Pakistanis abroad can make is by investing in the country. He is an investor in Pakistan's bonds, which he considers among the best on the market.
When advising Pakistani founders, Husain emphasizes the need to think globally from the outset. Instead of replicating American models like Uber and DoorDash, he suggests focusing on the services industry and developing Pakistani brands known worldwide. He also encourages building for customers who will pay in dollars, even if the customer is abroad.
Written by urgent.news from Business Recorder's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
