Thousands of doctors and engineers leave Pakistan as ‘brain gain’ claim falls flat

Pakistan is facing one of its most severe brain drains in recent history, with over 5,000 doctors and 11,000 engineers abandoning the country in just the past 24 months, according to a stark government report.

This massive outflow of talent has laid bare the gulf between the grim realities on the ground and the rosy narrative spun by military chief Asim Munir, who recently labelled the mass migration a “brain gain,” triggering widespread ridicule among Pakistanis.

The exodus extends beyond doctors and engineers, with 13,000 accountants also leaving amid deepening economic distress and political instability that continue to erode prospects for professionals across sectors.

The data, released by Pakistan’s Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment, paints a grim portrait of a country hemorrhaging its skilled workforce. In 2024 alone, over 727,000 Pakistanis registered for overseas employment, and the trend shows no sign of slowing.

Notably, the healthcare sector is reeling from an unprecedented surge in departures, including a staggering 2,144% rise in nurse migration between 2011 and 2024. This brain drain has sparked government attempts to tighten airport controls and clamp down on illegal migration and “professional begging” networks, resulting in tens of thousands of offloaded or deported travelers in 2025.

Yet these enforcement measures do little to stem the tide or address the root causes. Former senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar highlighted the political and economic rot fueling the crisis, linking it to massive losses in the country’s burgeoning freelancing sector due to internet shutdowns — risking over two million jobs.

Online, Pakistanis have mercilessly mocked Munir’s claim that migration equates to “brain gain.” Social media is awash with sarcasm and frustration, with many accusing leadership of disconnect and denial. As one user bluntly put it, “According to zehni mareez [mentally ill person], it’s a brain gain.”

Critics argue that Pakistan’s brain drain is no mystery — it stems from a complete collapse of industry, research, and opportunity. “PhDs return to empty labs, professionals to closed markets,” tweeted PTI supporter Sajid Sikander Ali. “You can’t stop talent by humiliating people at airports, only by creating opportunity.”

Others highlight the dangers that fuel the flight: fear of abduction, torture, and political repression leave no space for skilled individuals to thrive at home. The widening gap between official rhetoric and lived reality threatens to deepen the nation’s crisis as Pakistan hemorrhages its brightest minds — and its future.