Seven Pakistanis, including entrepreneurs, scientists, social innovators and entertainers, have been named to the Forbes Asia “30 Under 30” list for 2026, highlighting the country’s growing presence in globally competitive industries ranging from technology and finance to science, social impact and entertainment.
Published annually by US business magazine Forbes, the “30 Under 30 Asia” list recognizes young achievers across the Asia-Pacific region who are “transforming their industries” in categories including consumer technology, healthcare, finance, social impact and media.
This year’s Pakistani honorees were recognized across five separate categories.
Maheera Ghani
Pakistani scientist Maheera Ghani was recognized in the Healthcare and Science category for her research in materials science and leadership in promoting women in science.
“Maheera Ghani graduated from Cambridge University in 2025 with a Ph.D. in materials science,” Forbes wrote. “She is now doing postdoctoral research at Cambridge on ultra-thin semiconductors.”
The publication also highlighted Ghani’s leadership of WinSci Pakistan, an initiative encouraging women to pursue careers in science. The project received the Nature Inspiring Women in Science Award last year from the Estée Lauder Companies and Springer Nature.
Commenting on the recognition, Ghani said: “Researching next-generation semiconductors at Cambridge University, innovating deep-tech technologies and working at the intersection of science, innovation, and leading impact has been an amazing journey filled with immense joy.
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude and pride to represent my country on such a prestigious platform and this recognition means so much to me personally,” she added.
Syed Ismail
In the Consumer and Enterprise Technology category, Forbes recognized Syed Ismail, cofounder of Karachi-based startup Saraaf, which was launched in 2021 to digitize commodity sourcing and improve transparency in regional trade.
The company is developing a platform that offers real-time pricing, shipment tracking, digitized contracts and live communication tools for businesses sourcing materials such as cotton and onyx from Central and South Asia.
Forbes also highlighted Saraaf’s $5.3 million investment commitment secured through Shark Tank Pakistan in 2024 and noted that the company plans to go public this year.
Muhammad Furqan Karim Kidwai
Muhammad Furqan Karim Kidwai was selected in the Finance & Venture Capital category for cofounding Singapore-backed Plouton AI, an automation platform designed to help mid-market companies streamline finance workflows.
According to Forbes, the startup automates invoicing, payroll processing and month-end reconciliation through browser-based agents integrated with tools such as Xero, QuickBooks and Excel.
The publication noted that Kidwai launched the venture after observing how finance teams across emerging markets continued to rely heavily on spreadsheets and email-based systems.
Sarfraz Shahid Hussain
Sarfraz Shahid Hussain was also recognized in the Finance & Venture Capital category as cofounder of Plouton AI alongside Kidwai.
The two Habib University graduates had previously co-founded fintech startup YPay Financial Services, which offered digital mutual fund investment services before launching Plouton AI.
Forbes described the startup as an “agentic automation platform” aimed at reducing the need for costly enterprise finance software for mid-sized businesses.
Fahad Shahbaz
In the Social Impact category, Forbes recognized Fahad Shahbaz, founder of the Youth General Assembly, an initiative launched in 2015 when he was 18 years old to encourage youth participation in leadership and policymaking.
The initiative runs an annual 96-member assembly modeled after Pakistan’s National Assembly and the UK parliament, allowing young participants to debate public policy and develop recommendations.
Forbes noted that Shahbaz received the Diana Award in 2023 and is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community in Pakistan.
Reacting to the recognition, Shahbaz wrote on X: “This recognition is not mine alone. It belongs to the people who believed in me, supported me and stood beside me throughout this journey.”
He added: “The social impact category is built on service, responsibility and the belief that meaningful change begins with people.
“Pakistan’s greatest chapter is still being written and it is being written by its youth.”
Hania Aamir
Actor Hania Aamir was recognized in the Entertainment & Sports category for her growing influence in Pakistan’s entertainment industry and digital media space.
Forbes described Aamir as Pakistan’s “most-followed woman” on Instagram, where she recently crossed 20 million followers. The actor rose to prominence through television dramas including Phir Wohi Mohabbat, Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum and Meri Zindagi Hai Tu.
The publication also noted that Aamir is set to star in Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo, described as Netflix’s first Pakistani original series.
In addition to her acting career, Aamir was named UN Women’s National Goodwill Ambassador in October for her social advocacy work.
Saman Kamraan
Filmmaker Saman Kamraan was also featured in the Entertainment & Sports category for her work spanning film, documentaries and music videos.
Her short film The Bed She Made was the only Pakistani entry selected for the Busan International Short Film Festival this year. The film explored the relationship between climate change and fertility in Pakistan.
“Through its interplay of grace and violence, this metaphorical and highly symbolic film alternates between choreographic sequences and stark depictions of domestic oppression,” festival programmer Professor Sébastien Simon wrote in the event catalogue.
“By turning personal suffering into embodied outcry, it confronts the systemic silencing and abusive treatment of women in rigid patriarchal societies.”
Before directing The Bed She Made, Kamraan served as assistant director on Umro Ayyar, one of Pakistan’s highest-grossing and rare science-fiction feature films.
Pakistan’s Growing Presence on Global Platforms
The latest Forbes recognition reflects Pakistan’s expanding representation in global innovation, science, entrepreneurship and creative industries.
While Pakistani artists had a limited presence on the 2025 Forbes Asia list — with Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem among the few names featured — previous editions have included notable Pakistani figures such as filmmaker Bushra Sultan, fashion entrepreneur Zain Ahmed, music producer Abdullah Siddiqui, artist Misha Japanwala and singer Momina Mustehsan.