Ehtishaam was talented, ambitious, and deeply connected to his homeland. After completing his MBA from a well-known Pakistani university, he made a conscious decision to stay back. Like many young professionals, he believed Pakistan needed its educated youth, not their departure. He wanted to grow, succeed, and contribute without leaving the country.

Soon after graduation, Ehtishaam joined a multinational company operating in Pakistan. His progress was swift. Colleagues recognized his discipline, his management skills, and his ability to deliver results under pressure. For a while, it seemed his dream of building a future at home was becoming a reality.

Then came the announcement that changed everything. The company decided to shut down its Pakistan office and move its regional operations to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. The decision was purely corporate, but its impact on employees like Ehtishaam was deeply personal.

As the only child of his parents, leaving Pakistan was never part of his plan. He began searching for opportunities within the country, confident that his education and experience would be enough. Weeks turned into months. Interviews came and went. Offers, when they did appear, failed to match his professional level or provide long-term stability.

Eventually, Ehtishaam was left with no real choice. To continue his career, he rejoined his old multinational company abroad. With a heavy heart and unanswered questions, he left Pakistan, not because he wanted to, but because circumstances pushed him out.

Ehtishaam’s story is not unique. Pakistan’s youth is its most valuable asset. When educated and skilled young people leave, the loss is not limited to numbers. Ideas, innovation, leadership, and future growth depart with them. This ongoing brain drain is quietly weakening the country’s economic foundation.

According to recent research, Pakistan ranks third in South Asia and sixth globally for human capital migration. Between 2022 and 2023, the emigration of highly qualified professionals surged by over 26%, driven by economic instability, political uncertainty, and limited career opportunities at home. Skilled professionals leaving the country contribute to an estimated economic loss of $4.2 billion annually, even after accounting for remittances from the diaspora, which reached $38.5 billion in 2024-25. While these financial inflows provide short-term relief, they cannot replace the intellectual capital needed for growth in critical sectors like healthcare, IT, and education.

The country loses significant investments made in training its workforce. For example, training a single doctor costs roughly $25,000, and with an estimated 10,000 doctors emigrating each year, Pakistan loses around $250 million in human capital investment alone. This also affects the availability of qualified professionals in rural areas, weakening governance, healthcare, and education systems.

Foreign countries benefit from Pakistan’s skilled workforce, providing better salaries, growth opportunities, and stable environments. While Pakistan loses middle and upper-middle-class contributors to economic growth, other nations gain talent that drives innovation and productivity. Without urgent measures, this brain drain threatens long-term development, reducing domestic consumption, investment, and future leadership potential.

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Renowned poets, intellectuals, and healthcare professionals have repeatedly urged young Pakistanis to stay, highlighting that progress and prosperity come through struggle, dedication, and resilience. Yet, when multinational companies move their offices abroad, the message of national perseverance clashes with the harsh reality of limited opportunities and unstable corporate infrastructure at home.

Pakistan has significant potential for investment. Local and multinational companies see opportunities in a large consumer base, young workforce, and growth potential. However, the perception of security remains a major obstacle, leading companies to shift operations to regional hubs like Kuala Lumpur. Direct experience often shows that Pakistan is more resilient and welcoming than global perceptions suggest, but policy gaps and security concerns continue to overshadow these advantages.

To address these challenges, Pakistan must focus on creating better economic opportunities domestically. This includes investing in technology hubs, industrial zones, startups, and competitive salaries. Higher education, research, and development should be strengthened through increased funding and international collaborations. Policies to engage the diaspora effectively, such as dual citizenship, investment incentives, and knowledge transfer platforms, can also help. Programs encouraging reverse brain drain, including re-entry grants, tax breaks, and housing support, may bring skilled professionals back.

The departure of youth like Ehtishaam reflects systemic issues in governance, corporate policy, and societal infrastructure. Emotional appeals alone will not retain talent. Young professionals require tangible opportunities, merit-based growth, and professional stability to remain committed to the country.

The story of Ehtishaam reflects a much larger reality. Pakistan stands at a crossroads where talent is leaving, investment is cautious, and perceptions are misaligned with reality. Strengthening security, creating professional growth, and valuing youth as the nation’s most critical asset are essential. Only by nurturing and retaining its human capital can Pakistan hope to retain talent, attract investment, and build a prosperous and sustainable future for all its citizens.