Seven talented Pakistanis have made it to the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list for 2024, showcasing their remarkable contributions across various fields. This year’s honorees include filmmaker Bushra Sultan, who is the sole Pakistani featured in the Arts category, as well as innovators in finance, enterprise technology, and consumer technology.
Bushra Sultan: Arts
Lahore-based filmmaker and creative director Bushra Sultan has been recognized in the Arts category for her groundbreaking work in fashion and beauty. Known for challenging societal constraints on women in Pakistan, her notable campaigns include “Guria” for Demesne Couture, which critiques the wedding industry’s demands on brides, and the audacious “Chimera” campaign featuring headless women.
Aleena Nadeem: Finance and Venture Capital
Aleena Nadeem, an MIT graduate, has been honored in the Finance and Venture Capital category for her Lahore-based education startup, EduFi. The startup revolutionizes how Pakistanis pay for university by allowing monthly tuition payments instead of lump sums, making higher education more accessible.
Sarkhail Bawany: Finance and Venture Capital
Also featured in the Finance and Venture Capital category is Sarkhail Bawany, head of product at the fintech company Abhi. Abhi enables workers to access a portion of their salary before payday, providing financial flexibility and partnering with major companies like Unilever Pakistan. Bawany also oversees Abhipay, a payment services subsidiary.
Kasra Zunnaiyyer: Enterprise Technology
Kasra Zunnaiyyer, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Trukkr, has been recognized in the Enterprise Technology category. Trukkr, based in Karachi, offers a management platform for Pakistan’s logistics sector, providing financing options, fleet tracking, and customer connectivity. The startup raised $6.4 million in seed funding last year.
Adeel Abid, Aizaz Nayyer, and Ali Raza: Consumer Technology
The co-founders of Linkstar, Adeel Abid, Aizaz Nayyer, and Ali Raza, have been honored in the Consumer Technology category. Linkstar helps freelancers create portfolio websites and offers online courses to enhance their skills. In 2023, the founders acquired Oliv, a Dubai-based career marketplace that connects companies with students and graduates.
The inclusion of these seven Pakistanis on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list underscores the vibrant talent emerging from Pakistan. Their innovative contributions across arts, education, finance, and technology not only highlight their individual achievements but also shine a light on the country’s potential to foster global change-makers.
