Pakistan’s brain drain: 11 exceptional Pakistanis unrecognised by their own country, until they leave

Pakistan is a land of diverse culture and boundless talent. However, what we lack here in abundance is acceptance, while denouncement and hatred are quite easy to come by. We push away anything or anyone who is even slightly diverse when compared to the hordes of our mediocre mainstream, choosing monotony over innovation. As a consequence, those who are truly gifted are forced to leave the country and follow their dreams elsewhere.

And why shouldn’t they?

Those with bigger dreams need bigger horizons, and instead of broadening ours, we cast them out. Then we have the audacity to comment on how Pakistan’s real talent has left the country to ‘make money’. Some are branded unpatriotic and others are termed planted foreign agents. However, the one thing quite conveniently missed by these ‘true patriots’ is that extraordinary talent never resides within the ordinary.

In countries all over the world, brain drain has been treated as a crucial socioeconomic issue that quite adversely impacts the overall educational and economic development of these countries. This blog intends to celebrate those who could have made a difference in Pakistan, had they not been forced to leave, as well as those who stayed, but have not been given due acknowledgement by the country.

Even more inappropriate is how, after learning about the outstanding achievements of such “Pakistanis”, suddenly our ‘patriotic’ vein pops and we feel proud of their many successes – which we have no right to do. Their achievements were not awarded to them by their own people or their country of origin. Rather, their success is a consequence of a system that practices acceptance over bigotry, and enables talent to grow regardless of cast, colour, gender, religious views and even sexual orientation.

1. Nergis Mavalvala

Photo: John D & Catherine T, MacArthur Foundation

A scientist who helped discover gravitational waves and also happens to be of Parsi origin. Born in Karachi but now an American astrophysicist, Mavalvala was also awarded the Great Immigrants Award by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, which is granted to neutralised citizens of different countries of origin who have made America strong. But would she have helped make Pakistan strong?

Well, no. Because Mavalava is an openly gay Parsi woman, and that is why her outstanding achievement would always dull in comparison to her religion and sexual preference.

2. Laraib Atta

Photo: File

Atta is the youngest and the only female Pakistani visual effects artist who has worked on blockbuster movies such as The Chronicles of Narnia, Godzilla, X-Men: Days of Future Past and the recently released Mission: Impossible - Fallout.

In her interviews, the now 31-year-old recalls how her talented father, Attaullah Esakhelvi, had always encouraged her to follow her dreams, but how the time she spent in her village made life difficult for her. She remembers how, upon entering her teenage years, her family had felt pressured in the village to marry her off. Instead, she convinced her family to let her follow her dreams of exploring the creative world of visual effects (VFX). Hers is an example for women to follow in pursuance of their dreams.

3. Mir Zafar Ali

Photo: Disney

Ali is another Pakistani visual effects artist who has made it big in Hollywood, with movies like The Golden Compass, The Incredible Hulk, The Mummy, Frozen and Life of Pi under his belt. Not only has he made a name for himself in the industry, he’s won three Oscars! Ali also had to pursue work in this field abroad, as the Pakistani industry has not particularly advanced in this direction as yet, and shows no inclination of doing so anytime soon.

4. Shaheer Niazi

Photo: BBC

While we talk of young talent prevailing within Pakistan, how can we ignore the brilliant Shaheer? This teenager has come forth with ground-breaking research on electric honeycombs, perplexing even the most experienced scientists. The 17-year-old was part of a team representing Pakistan at the International Young Physicists’ Tourna­ment in Russia. His twin sister, Khadija Niazi, was also on the team that presented this research., and the duo got their research published in esteemed journals.

5. Muhammad Rayyan Siddiqui

Photo: Muhammad Rayyan Siddiqui

Then there is 13-year-old Siddiqui, who has been recognised by Google as the youngest Android Associate Developer in the world. The Associate Android Developer Certification essentially validates that you are a capable app developer who can competently design entry-level applications for Google’s mobile platform.

Muhammad Rayyan Siddiqui, a 13 years old from #Pakistan becomes the #youngest @Google certified associate #Android developer in the #world.
Rayyan has made #Pakistan real #proud and we wish him all the best for his future.#PrideofPakistan🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/1EbfSwhAt6

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) November 28, 2017

6. Zymal Umer

Photo: BBC

This little cutie is certainly not one to be held back by her tender age, becoming the youngest ever social entrepreneur in Pakistan. Umer is the founder of Zee Bags, forming it when she was only nine-years-old. She sells newspaper bags to assist underprivileged children and to create a ‘greener’ environment, and received the Prince Abdul Aziz Award for Children Pioneer in 2016.

7. Kami Sid

Photo: Publicity

Breaking stereotypes like no Pakistani has ever done before, Sid is a 26-year-old transgender model spreading awareness about the equal treatment of the transgender community in our country.

8. Fatima Hasan

Photo: Fatima Hasan

Hasan’s story is one of resilience and determination, one that leaves a lasting impression on your mind. Diagnosed with dysphonia at the age of 10, despite losing her voice to her ailment, Hasan went on to become a graphic designer. Hers is an excellent example of why we need to rethink the term ‘disability’, as she is more than capable to achieve great things in life. Hasan has also been selected as an inspiring woman for United Nations (UN) Women Pakistan’s recent campaign.

9. Kumail Nanjiani

Photo: Getty

Born to a Shia family in Karachi, Nanjiani, a comedian and actor of international fame, has recently made significant breakthroughs in Hollywood. His witty words capture the essence of both Pakistani and American societies quite perfectly, while the movie he made on his life, The Big Sick, was not only a hit but was also nominated for an Oscar. His original comedy has the audience rolling with mirth, while also promoting quite a positive image of Pakistan internationally.

10. Naila Alam and Yasmeen Durrani 

Photo: Twitter

These two Pakistani sisters settled in Virginia, USA and started Express Care, a non-profit organisation that provides food, medication, clothes, jobs and what not to the underprivileged section of the society. The two have also been awarded the Honour of Hope Award by the White House, and are proof that Pakistanis are a generous and resourceful nation.

11. Ashir Azeem

Photo: File/ Screenshot

Examples of those who have achieved great successes are many, but a story has recently come to light in which a talented and honest Pakistani was robbed of his will to strive for something better in life. Not that there is anything less appreciative about what he does for a living now, but it is safe to say that Azeem was more than capable of handling bigger tasks than driving a truck.

Azeem, a Pakistani-Canadian film and television director, actor, scriptwriter and former civil services officer, became famous with the television series Dhuwan, which aired in 1994. The former actor recently shared an account of his time in the Customs Group of the Civil Services of Pakistan. After realising he was up against an entire system swarmed with black sheep refusing to mend their ways, Azeem decided to hand in his resignation right after his superiors handed him his promotion letter.

I drive a truck in Canada and I am proud of it. 😊😊 https://t.co/NCnQgUUSVn

— Asher Azeem Gill (@ashirazeemgill) July 12, 2018

I left the country coz i got disappointed. Not with Sharifs or Zardaris, yeh to hamesha Esay hi thay, but with the people.
Log asool ki baat nahin karte, asool pe nahin larte, asool par hanste hain. They will always hv Sharifs n Zardaris n Raos only names will change. https://t.co/c5n4Y7jO62

— Asher Azeem Gill (@ashirazeemgill) July 14, 2018

Whether it is the inadequacy of the people to accept someone with a different belief system, or the inadequacy of the system to provide opportunities for those who want to expand technological horizons, the result is the same. As long as we continue to drive away such spirited people from our country, we shall live under a rotten system that gives us nothing but undue oppression.

There are countless names and myriad stories of spirited Pakistanis who either choose to leave as they fear intellectual isolation during their time here – which is wasted in procedural hair-splitting instead of utilising one’s true potential – or they are driven away because they are different from the rest of us.

For how long can we afford to let this brain drain continue? How long till we are only left with puppets and puppeteers? Free will, creativity, sincerity, hard work and innovation will never come our way until and unless we prefer them over hatred, intolerance, prejudice and religious extremism. If we fail to protect our most valuable resources – our brilliant minds – then what hope do we have of progress?