n May 10, mainstream media reported that a cyberattack by Pakistan’s cyber team under Operation Buny n-um-Mars s had caused a massive power outage, plunging 70 percent of India into darkness. According to these reports, Pakistani hackers successfully breached India’s grid system, disabling critical infrastructure and disrupting military intelligence operations.

That was not all. A day before the blackout, on May 9, a group of Pakistani hackers voluntarily launched a cyber campaign under the name Operation Salar. They successfully breached and defaced several official websites, marking another bold step in Pakistan’s growing digital counteroffensive. The campaign sent a clear message: Pakistan’s sovereignty, national honour, and digital borders are not to be challenged.

The news went viral online, with users hailing the hackers as Pakistan’s Money Heist team. Behind the screen were real youth, sitting in living rooms across Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi, coding through the night.

Pakistani youth not only possess immense potential and skills but have also demonstrated an unwavering commitment to their country. This became obvious between May 7 and 11, when they fought back with facts, dismantled fake narratives and amplified patriotic messaging across platforms, turning social media into a frontline of digital defence.

Pakistan is home to more than 230 million people, nearly 64 percent of them under the age of 30. According to the UNDP, it has one of the youngest populations in the world.

At global technology events like GITEX Dubai, Pakistani students often outperform the majority AI, cybersecurity and robotics competitions. From freelancing and coding bootcamps to olympiads and hackathons, they consistently showcase their talent, often without structured support. Many from this group are quietly packing their bags.

According to the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment, 727,381 Pakistanis migrated abroad for employment in 2024. Economic instability, limited opportunities and political uncertainty all contribute to this trend.

This migration is often labelled as brain drain. The implication is a bleeding of intellect and skill. But there’s another way to see it: brain drain can become a brain gain, if we plan for it.

India understood this early. Since the late 1990s, it has invested heavily in global educational partnerships, offering scholarships to bright students through government-funded initiatives such as the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. These students were encouraged to study at elite universities abroad and connected with top-tier firms through structured visa programmes and internship pipelines.

India’s long-term planning is evident globally, with leaders like Sundar Pichai at Google, Arvind Krishna at IBM, Shantanu Narayen at Adobe and Nikesh Arora at Palo Alto Networks. Their success is the result of decades of strategic measures, investment in education and strong diaspora support.

If India can turn brain drain into soft power, why can’t Pakistan?

Pakistan must stop hiding its brightest minds behind broken systems, outdated policies and structural neglect. Instead of asking them to stay in a place that offers little, we must ask how the country can travel with them, through shared values, a compelling vision and a collective sense of purpose.

The question is not whether the talent should stay or leave. The real question is what we are doing with that talent, regardless of where it resides. If even a fraction of the young professionals leaving Pakistan were mentored and supported to serve as informal ambassadors, through their daily contributions to innovation, leadership and cross-cultural engagement, they could shape perceptions of the country in global boardrooms, research labs, policy circles and creative industries.

Saquib Ahmad, country director at SAP for Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Bahrain, says the global migration of youth is not a setback it is an untapped advantage. “Our youth are enablers. They are already earning Pakistan global respect through quality work,” he says. “Young Pakistanis hold immense potential. Pakistan is a resilient and adaptable nation. If they are guided and trained properly, I have no doubt that in the evolving global IT landscape, we will see Pakistani CEOs stepping into international leadership roles. Not just that, the industry will be shaped by their contributions.”

This vision requires a fundamental shift in perspective. Rather than viewing emigration as a failure, it should be seen as an opportunity to build networks, transfer knowledge and showcase Pakistan’s intellectual capital on the global stage. Countries like South Korea and China have successfully built economic and technological bridges through their diaspora. Pakistan can do the same if it approaches the issue with intention and structure.

The government and the private sector should reimagine how scholarships are awarded. Rather than viewing them as a means of binding students to return, they can be framed as tools for soft diplomacy. Students who go abroad should be encouraged to become bridges between countries, engaging in internships, joint research and cultural exchange that reflect positively on Pakistan’s values and capabilities.

Professional networks for the Pakistani diaspora should be actively developed. These networks can operate as think tanks, incubators or mentorship platforms, connecting successful Pakistanis abroad with emerging talent at home.

For those who wish to return or collaborate remotely, the state should offer meaningful incentives. This could include tax benefits, research funding or business grants. Many skilled professionals are willing to contribute from abroad — whether by mentoring startups, co-founding ventures or guiding innovation. They often face institutional bottlenecks that discourage such collaboration.

There is a need also to invest in cultural capital. Pakistan must take pride in its success stories and actively promote them. Through state media, foreign missions and international forums, the achievements of Pakistanis should be highlighted. Every story of a young Pakistani excelling globally is not just a moment of pride; it is also an inspiration and a statement about the country’s future.

It is easy to scroll past stories about cyber victories or anonymous hackers. It is much harder to recognise the depth of talent we are failing to support. Pakistan’s youth are not just technically capable. They are also intelligent, globally aware and hungry for impact. They are waiting to be enabled.

Pakistan must stop hiding its brightest minds behind broken systems, outdated policies and structural neglect. Instead of asking them to stay in a place that offers little, we must ask how the country can travel with them, through shared values, a compelling vision and a collective sense of purpose.

Brain drain is a loss only if we allow it to be. It may well be the smartest investment we ever made — an investment that, with the right approach, could turn Pakistan’s global talent into its greatest strength.

The writer is a freelance journalist. She tweets/ posts @bismarafique and can be reached at: rafiquebisma00@gmail.com.