Pakistan's brain drain crisis deepens: 5,000 doctors, 11,000 engineers leave amid economic turmoil; army chief's 'brain gain' remark sparks outrage

Islamabad (The Uttam Hindu): Pakistan, which is facing the brunt of economic crisis and political instability, is now grappling with the worst 'brain drain' crisis in its history. Thousands of promising professionals have left the country in the last two years due to the deepening economic crisis and uncertainty about the future. A recent government report has presented a grim picture of this crisis, which has increased the concerns of the Shahbaz Sharif government. According to the data, Pakistan's educated class is no longer willing to stay in the country.

The latest figures from Pakistan's Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment have shocked everyone. The report shows that in the past 24 months, approximately 5,000 doctors, 11,000 engineers, and 13,000 accountants have left Pakistan and settled abroad. According to government data, 727,381 Pakistanis registered for work abroad in 2024, while by November 2025, this figure had reached 687,246. Worryingly, those leaving the country now include not only the working class but also highly educated professionals, considered the backbone of the country. The health sector is particularly dire, with a massive 2,144 percent increase in nurse migration between 2011 and 2024.

Amid these grim statistics, an old statement by Pakistan's Army Chief, General Asim Munir, has now become a thorn in his side. Some time ago, he denied this exodus as "brain drain," calling it "brain gain." Now, people on social media are mocking and sharply criticizing his statement. Former Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar held the government in the mirror, saying that the economy will recover only if politics improves. He criticized the rulers, citing the $1.62 billion loss caused by the internet shutdown and the millions of jobs at risk. Social media users say that the rulers' ignorance is leading the country toward disaster, yet they still display a false sense of pride.

In response to rising migration and fears of illegal activities, the Shahbaz government has tightened airport surveillance. In 2025, approximately 66,154 passengers were detained at Pakistani airports for suspicious reasons, nearly double the number from the previous year. Despite this, the situation appears to be spiraling out of control, with thousands of Pakistanis being deported from Gulf countries on charges of begging and illegal immigration. Leaders of Imran Khan's party, the PTI, argue that when there are no jobs or research funding in the country, what will talent do in empty labs? They need respect and opportunity to stop them.