KARACHI: Seven young Pakistanis, including actor Hania Aamir and filmmaker Saman Kamran, have been named to the 2026 edition of the prestigious Forbes Asia 30 under 30 list, recognizing emerging leaders, innovators and changemakers across the region.
In its 11th annual edition, Forbes highlighted 30 individuals under the age of 30 in various sectors, praising their contributions to fields ranging from technology and finance to entertainment, science and social impact.
“From entrepreneurs innovating in robotics and AI to investors, artists, athletes and scientists, this year’s 30 Under 30 Asia listees are pushing boundaries in every industry,” Forbes said.
Among the honorees, Aamir was recognized in the Entertainment & Sports category. One of Pakistan’s most prominent actors and the country’s most-followed woman on Instagram, she gained widespread acclaim following her breakthrough performance in the television drama Phir Wohi Mohabbat.
She is also set to appear in the upcoming Netflix series Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo, which is expected to become Netflix’s first Pakistani original production.
Kamran earned a place in the Arts category for her work as an independent filmmaker. Her film Gandhara: Land of Fragrance was selected for the Cortomontagna-Premio Leggimontagna festival in 2022. In 2024, she collaborated with artist Wong Kit Yi on the experimental film The Bed She Made, while her stop-motion music video for Pakistani grunge band Skehlaaj won best music video at the Film Tuition International Festival.
In the Finance & Venture Capital category, entrepreneurs Muhammad Furqan Karim Kidwai and Sarfraz Shahid Hussain were recognized for founding Plouton AI, a Singapore-based automation platform that helps mid-sized businesses streamline financial operations through artificial intelligence.
Another honoree, Syed Ismail, was named in the Consumer & Enterprise Technology category for co-founding Saraaf, a Karachi-based technology company focused on digitizing commodity sourcing and improving transparency in regional trade markets.
In the Healthcare & Science category, Maheera Ghani was recognized for her research in advanced materials science. After completing a doctorate at University of Cambridge in 2025, she continued postdoctoral research on ultra-thin semiconductors while leading WinSci Pakistan, an initiative encouraging women’s participation in science. The program received the Nature Inspiring Women in Science Award in 2025.
Researching next-generation semiconductors at the @Cambridge_Uni innovating deep-tech technologies and working at the intersection of science, innovation, and leading impact has been an amazing journey filled with immense joy.
I am overwhelmed with gratitude and pride to… pic.twitter.com/RjF45k1iPR
— Dr Maheera Ghani (@MaheeraGhani) May 28, 2026
Rounding out the list was Fahad Shahbaz, who was honored in the Social Impact category for founding the Youth General Assembly. Established in 2015, the organization promotes youth engagement in governance and policymaking through a parliamentary-style assembly model. Shahbaz is also a recipient of the Diana Award and a member of the Pakistan chapter of the Global Shapers Community.
I am honoured to share that I have been named to the Fobes 30 Under 30 Asia 2026, representing Pakistan as Founder of the @ygapakistan.
Alhamdulillah, Every blessing comes from Allah ﷻ. This recognition is not mine alone. It belongs to the people who believed in me, supported… pic.twitter.com/m9ZtAdw2oF
— Fahad Shahbaz (@iamfahadshahbaz) May 29, 2026
The inclusion of seven Pakistanis in the 2026 Forbes Asia 30 under 30 list highlights the growing influence of the country’s young talent across entertainment, technology, entrepreneurship, science and social development sectors.
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