This year, seven individuals from Pakistan have secured coveted spots on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Asia. Among them is filmmaker and creative director Bushra Sultan, who stands out as the sole Pakistani featured in the Arts category, celebrating achievements in art, style, food, and drink. Based in Lahore, Bushra is acclaimed for her commitment to challenging societal norms for women in Pakistan, as noted by Forbes.
Bushra Sultan, aged 29, has garnered attention for her impactful work in fashion and beauty. Notably, her campaign “Guria” for Demesne Couture depicted the complexities of Pakistan’s wedding culture, portraying women as controlled like puppets, which received widespread praise. Additionally, Forbes highlighted Sultan’s bold “Chimera” campaign, featuring headless women, as emblematic of her innovative approach.
Read more: Sophie Turner Praises Taylor Swift, Opens up about divorce and motherhood
Other notable mentions include Aleena Nadeem and Sarkhail Bawany, recognized in the Finance and Venture Capital category. Nadeem’s startup, EduFi, based in Lahore, aims to enhance accessibility to higher education in Pakistan by offering a monthly tuition payment model. With a background in prestigious institutions such as MIT and Goldman Sachs, Nadeem has long been dedicated to educational initiatives.
Meanwhile, Bawany is the head of product at Pakistan-based fintech company Abhi, which empowers workers to withdraw a percentage of their salary before the next pay cheque when they need emergency cash. The company works on a B2B2C model, partnering with companies such as Unilever Pakistan to offer the service as a benefit to employees.
Kasra Zunnaiyyer, honored in the Enterprise Technology category, co-founded Trukkr, a Karachi-based startup revolutionizing Pakistan’s logistics sector with its management platform. Trukkr’s success in securing significant seed funding highlights Zunnaiyyer’s role in driving innovation in the industry.
Read more: Mahira Khan reacts to object thrown during Balochistan Literature Festival
Lastly, the trio of Adeel Abid, Aizaz Nayyer, and Ali Raza, co-founders of Linkstar, based in Karachi, made waves in the Consumer Technology category. Linkstar’s platform empowers freelancers with tools to create and enhance their portfolios while offering opportunities for skill development through online courses. The acquisition of Oliv, a Dubai-based career marketplace, further solidifies Linkstar’s impact in the tech industry.
These individuals exemplify Pakistan’s burgeoning talent pool and entrepreneurial spirit, earning well-deserved recognition on the global stage.
The recognition of Bushra Sultan and her fellow Pakistani innovators on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia List underscores the country’s rich pool of talent and entrepreneurial spirit. Their achievements not only highlight the diversity and creativity within Pakistan’s arts and business communities but also serve as an inspiration for aspiring individuals across the nation. As they continue to make waves on the global stage, their success stands as a testament to the limitless potential of Pakistani talent.