Pakistanis listed in 2026 Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 (left to right): Maheera Ghani, Syed Ismail, Sarfraz Shahid Hussain, Muhammad Furqan Karim Kidwai, Saman Kamran, Hania Aamir, Fahad Shahbaz (Instagram). The 2026 cohort was selected from nearly 4,000 nominations across 18 countries and territories, with candidates evaluated on innovation, impact, growth, and leadership potential
Seven Pakistanis on Forbes Under 30 Asia 2026 List Highlight Pakistan’s Shift Toward an Innovation-Led Economy
By Arshad Mehmood
Islamabad
Seven Pakistanis have been named to the Forbes Under 30 Asia 2026 list, highlighting the country’s growing influence across technology, science, finance, social impact and entertainment.
The honorees include four men, Muhammad Furqan Karim Kidwai, Sarfraz Shahid Hussain, Syed Ismail, and Fahad Shahbaz, and three women, Maheera Ghani, Hania Aamir, and Saman Kamran.
Published annually by Forbes Asia, the prestigious list recognizes 300 of the region’s most promising innovators, entrepreneurs, creators, and change makers under the age of 30 across 10 categories.
This year’s edition highlights a new generation of Pakistanis whose work is gaining recognition well beyond national borders.
Their recognition comes as Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list continues to spotlight young leaders shaping the future of the Asia-Pacific region.
Pakistan’s strong presence was evident in the Finance & Venture Capital category, where Kidwai and Hussain were honored for co-founding Singapore-based Plouton AI, reflecting the country’s growing footprint in global fintech innovation.
Supported by Antler Singapore, the start-up develops AI-powered automation tools that help mid-sized businesses streamline financial operations and improve efficiency through intelligent workflow management.
Ismail, co-founder of Karachi-based start-up Saraaf, was recognized in the Consumer & Enterprise Technology category. Founded in 2021, Saraaf is transforming commodity sourcing across Central and South Asia by digitizing supply chains for materials such as cotton, minerals, and natural stone. The company attracted widespread attention after securing a multimillion-dollar investment commitment on Shark Tank Pakistan in 2024.
Shahbaz earned recognition in the Social Impact category for founding the Youth General Assembly, a platform dedicated to empowering young people through leadership development, civic engagement, and policy dialogue. Since its launch in 2015, the initiative has connected thousands of young Pakistanis with opportunities to participate in governance and public affairs.
In the field of science, Ghani was named to the Healthcare & Science category for her contributions to materials science research. A University of Cambridge PhD graduate, Ghani has combined academic excellence with advocacy through WinSci Pakistan, an initiative that encourages young women to pursue careers in STEM. Her efforts have received international recognition, including the Nature Inspiring Women in Science Award.
In the Entertainment & Sports category, Aamir, an actor, secured a place on the prestigious list, highlighting her growing influence as one of Pakistan’s most recognizable entertainment figures. With a massive social media following and a rapidly expanding international fan base, Aamir has become one of the leading faces of Pakistan’s contemporary entertainment industry.
Joining her is Kamran, a filmmaker, whose work has earned praise for tackling social and environmental issues through compelling storytelling. Her inclusion reflects the growing recognition of Pakistani creatives who use film and media to address critical societal challenges.
The inclusion of seven Pakistanis across multiple sectors reflects the increasing diversity and maturity of the country’s talent pool. From deep-tech startups and scientific research to youth leadership, filmmaking, and artificial intelligence, this year’s honorees represent a generation that is redefining Pakistan’s global image through innovation and creativity… - themedialine
