Pakistani Youth Rising: Global Achievements and Opportunities in Asia

Pakistan's Football Women Team recently won match in Malasiya (Radio Pakistan)

By: Abdullah Farooqui

Islamabad: Pakistan is a country blessed with a vibrant and energetic youth population. With nearly two-thirds of its people under the age of 30, the future of the nation rests heavily on the shoulders of its young men and women.

Despite facing many challenges, Pakistani youth are breaking barriers and making their mark on the global stage. From winning international competitions in technology and sports to leading climate change initiatives and excelling academically, their stories are a beacon of hope and inspiration. 

At the same time, many Pakistani students are exploring opportunities across Asia for higher education, research, employment, and even residency. This feature celebrates the remarkable achievements of Pakistani youth and highlights the promising pathways available to them in Asian countries. 

Pakistani Youth: Stories of Global Success

Pakistani youth have recently achieved extraordinary milestones that reflect their talent, resilience, and creativity.

• Technology and Innovation: Pakistani students topped the prestigious Harvard University CS50x course in 2025, a challenging computer science program with millions of participants worldwide. They also won the CS50x Puzzle Day, a global logic competition. These victories were supported by dedicated mentors like Dr. Zafar Shahid, who returned from Silicon Valley to nurture young talent. 

• At TEKNOFEST 2025 in Türkiye, Pakistani female students Asma Fatima and Anaya Khan won first place in an aerospace and technology competition, receiving personal congratulations from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. 

• Young innovators like Talha received grants from the US Embassy to pilot climate change solutions, while Zeeshan Shahid won the National Innovation Award for inventing an airbag vest for bikers.

• Academic and Literary Excellence: 13-year-old Dua Farhan Ahmed won the Young Author Award 2024 in Dubai, while many students like Suhaib from Danish School topped their matriculation and F.Sc. exams.

• Sports: Haris Khan won gold in wrestling at the Children of Asia Games 2024, and 12-year-old squash prodigy Muhammad Sohail Adnan became World No. 1 in the U13 category. 

• Climate Leadership: At the Commonwealth Asia Youth Alliance Summit 2025, 20 Pakistani youth received the Climate Champions Award for their work in renewable energy, water conservation, and climate education.

• Social Impact: Kashf Shah founded Pakistan’s largest volunteer network, planting 100,000 trees and organizing free medical camps. These achievements and many more to come highlight the immense potential of Pakistani youth and their ability to shine on the world stage despite many obstacles. 

Opportunities for Pakistani Students in Asia: Education, Research, Jobs, and Residency

Asia offers a wealth of opportunities for Pakistani students to pursue higher education, engage in research, find jobs, and even gain residency. Here is a country-wise overview: 

China 

• Education & Scholarships: China remains a top destination for Pakistani students, especially in fields like engineering, medicine, and technology. The Chinese government offers fully funded scholarships for undergraduate, graduate, and PhD studies. After COVID-19 restrictions eased in 2022, China resumed issuing student visas (X1 visa) for long-term study, allowing Pakistani students to return to campuses across the country. 

• Research: Chinese universities actively collaborate with Pakistani scholars, offering research opportunities in science, technology, and development studies. Platforms like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) also provide internships and research fellowships in Manila, open to students from Pakistan and other Asian countries.

• Jobs: While direct employment opportunities for international students are limited, many Pakistani students engage in internships and part-time jobs related to technology and language tutoring.

• Residency: Students can apply for residence permits linked to their study programs. China’s visa policies have become more welcoming, facilitating longer stays for research and study. 

• Trade & Business: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) continues to strengthen business ties, providing Pakistani entrepreneurs with opportunities in China’s vast market.

Japan

• Education & Research: Japan offers unique programs like the Campus Asia Program (CAP) at Ritsumeikan University, which focuses on East Asian languages, cultures, and international careers. Pakistani students can study Japanese, Chinese, and Korean languages and pursue graduate studies in Japan, China, or South Korea.

• Jobs: CAP graduates have found employment in trading companies, manufacturers, airlines, travel agencies, and education sectors across East Asia. Many leverage their language skills and networks to build international careers. 

• Residency: Japan offers student visas that can be extended for graduate studies or employment. Graduates may apply for work visas if they find employment in Japan. • Scholarships: Various Japanese government scholarships (MEXT) and university scholarships are available for Pakistani students.

Malaysia 

• Education: Malaysia is an affordable and popular destination for Pakistani students, especially in business, IT, and healthcare fields. Universities like Universiti Malaya and Monash Malaysia offer scholarships for international students. 

• Jobs: Malaysia offers work visa options for skilled professionals, particularly in technology and healthcare sectors. 

• Residency: The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program allows foreigners, including Pakistanis, to obtain long-term residency. This program suits retirees, businesspeople, and professionals seeking to settle in Malaysia. 

• Business: Malaysia’s strategic location and business-friendly environment provide opportunities for Pakistani entrepreneurs. 

Turkey

• Education: Turkish universities offer quality education with scholarships for Pakistani students, particularly in medicine, engineering, and social sciences. 

• Jobs & Research: Students can work part-time and engage in research projects. Turkey’s growing economy attracts international talent. 

• Residency: Turkey provides residency permits through employment or business registration, making it easier for Pakistani professionals and entrepreneurs to settle. 

• Business: Turkey’s strategic location between Asia and Europe offers Pakistani business professionals access to wider markets. 

South Korea 

• Education & Research: Pakistani students enrolled in programs like CAP can study Korean language and culture, and pursue graduate studies in South Korea. 

• Jobs: Graduates find opportunities in Korean companies, especially in IT, manufacturing, and education sectors. 

• Residency: Student visas can be converted to work visas after graduation, allowing longer stays. 

Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan) 

• Education & Research: These emerging markets offer growing opportunities in agriculture, textiles, and manufacturing. Pakistani students can pursue studies and research in regional development and trade.

• Jobs & Business: Pakistan is expanding trade relations with Central Asian countries, encouraging joint ventures and special economic zones. This opens doors for Pakistani entrepreneurs and professionals.

• Residency: Residency options are evolving with increased economic cooperation. Regional and International Internship Opportunities 

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) offers internships and postgraduate scholarships for students from Pakistan and other Asian countries. These programs provide practical experience in economics, management, science, and technology. 

• The SAARC Internship Programme places students and researchers at the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu for research assignments, promoting regional cooperation and understanding. 

Scholarships and Exchange Programs: 

• The Fulbright Program offers scholarships for Pakistani students to pursue Master’s and PhD degrees in the United States, along with professional fellowships and teaching assistantships.

• Many Asian countries, including China, Japan, Malaysia, and Turkey, provide government-funded scholarships for Pakistani students.

• Universities often offer merit-based scholarships and research grants to attract international talent. 

Why Asian Opportunities Matter for Pakistani Youth

Asia is a vibrant region with rapidly growing economies, advanced educational institutions, and diverse cultures. For Pakistani youth, studying and working in Asia offers: 

• Affordable and quality education compared to Western countries. 

• Access to cutting-edge research and technology in fields like IT, engineering, and environmental science. 

• Employment opportunities in multinational companies, startups, and research institutions. 

• Cultural exchange and language skills that enhance global employability. 

• Pathways to residency and business opportunities in dynamic markets. 

Is It Easy to Get These Opportunities? 

No, it is not easy. These opportunities are competitive and require: 

• Strong academic records 

• Good language proficiency 

• Well-prepared applications 

• Persistence in meeting deadlines 

• Financial planning But with proper planning, hard work, and determination, Pakistani youth can successfully access these opportunities. 

Many students have done so before you, as recent achievements of Pakistani youth in global competitions and scholarships prove. Final Advice Pakistani youth should view studying and working abroad as an investment in their future. 

It demands effort and patience but offers immense rewards—world-class education, global exposure, research experience, and career advancement. Start early, prepare thoroughly, seek scholarships, and be ready to embrace challenges. The path may be tough, but the success stories of Pakistani youth show it is achievable.

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