Big Trouble for Pakistan: 5000 doctors, 11000 engineers exit country, government report questions Asim Munir’s ‘brain gain’ claim
According to a government report, Pakistan has lost 5,000 doctors and 11,000 engineers over the past 24 months. The report also questioned the country’s army chief Asim Munir, who recently termed mass migration as 'brain gain'.
Pakistan Mocks Asim Munir’s ‘Brain Gain’ Claim: Cash-strapped Pakistan, which is already dealing with an economic crisis, is also witnessing one of its worst-ever talent exoduses. Thousands of doctors, engineers and accountants have left the country in just two years and the talent exodus continues due to the economic crisis and political instability in the neighbouring country. The shocking facts have surfaced following the recently published government report. As per the report, as many as 5,000 doctors, 11,000 engineers, and 13,000 accountants have left the country in the past 24 months. The government report has mocked its army chief who recently termed mass migration as ‘brain gain’.
Former Pakistani senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar highlighted the report, saying that the continuous internet shutdowns are causing over 2 million freelancing jobs at risk.
“Fix politics to fix the economy! Pakistan is also the 4th largest freelancing hub and with internet shutdowns causing losses of $1.62 billion, has put 2.37 million freelancing jobs at risk,” Khokhar tweeted with the emigration data.
What Pak’s Migration Data Has Revealed
The report, which was recently published by Pakistan’s Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment, stated that around 727,381 Pakistanis citizens registered for overseas jobs last year. However, in 2025 (till November), around 687,246 Pakistanis have applied for overseas employment. The major problem for the neighbouring country is that the major exodus is not limited to the labour category seeking decent jobs in Gulf countries.
The Worst Hit
As per the government report, the healthcare sector is the worst hit. In the past 13 years, since 2011, Islamabad has witnessed a 2,144 percent increase in migration by nurses. This trend continued this year also, Pakistan’s Express Tribune reported.
Due to the sudden exodus of white-collar professionals, the Shehbaz Sharif-led government has tightened security checks at airports. This year only, around 66,154 passengers were offloaded from airports. Additionally, thousands of Pakistani citizens were deported from Gulf countries for begging and illegal migration.
Asim Munir Facing Backlash
However, the latest emigration data has triggered an online debate with users making fun of Asim Munir’s statement which he made in August, Munir stated that overseas migration is a ‘brain gain’, rejecting the notion of ‘brain drain.’ It is to be noted that Munir remarked during a speech in the United States.
What's Your Reaction?
