5,000 Doctors, 11,000 Engineers Leave Pakistan; Asim Munir’s ‘Brain Gain’ Remark Faces Backlash

Thousands of skilled professionals, including doctors, engineers and accountants, have left Pakistan over the past two years amid worsening economic conditions and prolonged political instability, according to official government data.

Figures released by Pakistan’s Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment show that more than 5,000 doctors, 11,000 engineers and around 13,000 accountants migrated abroad during this period, The Express Tribune reported. The data has sparked sharp criticism of the government, particularly after Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir described the large-scale exodus as a “brain gain” rather than a brain drain.

Scale of the exodus

The data reveals that 727,381 Pakistanis officially registered for overseas employment in 2024. In 2025, another 687,246 people had already left the country by the end of November.

What has alarmed observers is that the migration trend is no longer limited to low-skilled labourers heading to Gulf countries or isolated cases of irregular migration. Instead, a growing number of highly trained professionals are choosing to leave, raising concerns about the long-term impact on Pakistan’s economy and public services.

The healthcare sector has been among the hardest hit. Between 2011 and 2024, nurse migration from Pakistan surged by 2,144%, a trend that has continued this year as well, according to The Express Tribune.

Public backlash and online criticism

The scale of departures, particularly among doctors and engineers, has triggered widespread online criticism and sarcasm, with many questioning official narratives that downplay the severity of the situation.

Social media users have also resurfaced General Munir’s remarks made during a visit to the United States in August, when he dismissed concerns over “brain drain” and framed overseas migration as a “brain gain” for the country.

Why professionals are leaving

Analysts say the latest wave of emigration reflects the rise of what they describe as “invisible migrants” — technology professionals who no longer see a viable global career path within Pakistan.

While low wages remain a factor, experts point to increasing “digital friction” as a major push factor. In 2024 and 2025, the rollout of a national internet firewall and repeated connectivity disruptions further discouraged tech workers reliant on stable, high-speed internet access.

“Economic instability, inflation, political uncertainty, weak governance, limited tech career paths, and an underdeveloped research and innovation ecosystem are pushing skilled workers abroad,” said Sai Global CEO Dr Noman Ahmed Said, speaking to The Express Tribune.

He added that competitive salaries, structured career growth, higher living standards and residency opportunities abroad were strong pull factors.

“If Pakistan continues exporting its best coders, data scientists and cybersecurity experts without a strategy to bring them back or integrate them into the economy from abroad, it is effectively subsidising innovation elsewhere,” Said warned. “This is not just about people leaving — it’s about ideas, products and patents that never get created at home.”