Published annually by Forbes, the ‘30 Under 30 Asia’ list recognizes outstanding young achievers across the Asia-Pacific region in sectors ranging from technology and finance to healthcare, social impact, and entertainment.
Among the Pakistani honourees is scientist Maheera Ghani, who was named in the Healthcare & Science category.
Forbes noted that Ghani earned a PhD in materials science from the University of Cambridge in 2025 and is currently pursuing postdoctoral research focused on ultra-thin semiconductors.
The publication also highlighted her role as leader of WinSci Pakistan, an initiative aimed at encouraging women to pursue careers in science. The programme received the Nature Inspiring Women in Science Award in 2025.
In the technology sector, Forbes recognised Syed Ismail, co-founder of Karachi-based commodity sourcing platform Saraaf. The startup seeks to digitise regional trade by offering real-time pricing, shipment tracking, digital contracts, and communication tools for businesses sourcing commodities such as cotton and onyx across Central and South Asia.
According to Forbes, the company secured a $5.3 million investment commitment through Shark Tank Pakistan in 2024 and plans to go public this year.
The Finance & Venture Capital category featured Muhammad Furqan Karim Kidwai and Sarfraz Shahid Hussain, co-founders of Singapore-backed Plouton AI.
Forbes described the company as an agentic automation platform that enables mid-sized firms to streamline financial operations, including invoicing, payroll management, and month-end reconciliation, without investing in costly enterprise software.
In the Social Impact category, Fahad Shahbaz was recognised for founding the Youth General Assembly in 2015.
The initiative provides young Pakistanis with a platform to engage in policymaking and leadership development through a 96-member assembly modelled on the National Assembly.
Pakistan’s entertainment sector was represented by actress Hania Aamir and filmmaker Saman Kamran in the Entertainment & Sports category.
Forbes described Aamir as Pakistan’s most-followed female celebrity on Instagram, with nearly 20 million followers, and noted her rise to fame following her role in the television drama “Phir Wohi Mohabbat.” The publication also highlighted her upcoming appearance in Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo, which it described as Netflix’s first Pakistani original series.
Kamran was recognised for her work across films, documentaries, and music videos. Forbes cited her film “Gandhara: Land of Fragrance,” which was screened at an international film festival, and her collaboration with New York-based artist Wong Kit Yi on an experimental project exploring themes of fertility and ecological decline in Asia.
A graduate of the National College of Arts in Lahore, Kamran also served as assistant director on Umro Ayyar, one of Pakistan’s highest-grossing films.