Pakistan is one such example of a developing country that has experienced the effects of brain drain. Although precise numbers are not accessible, the impact is larger. Since its inception, Pakistan has been unable to acknowledge or manage the intellectual community. For individuals with the aptitude and capacity to render services, unfortunately, Pakistan is an inadequate place. The intellectual potential of the ultimate networking was inhibited by personal referrals and large sums of money.
Pakistan, a thriving nation that is often referred to as "The Hub of Youth" due to its vibrant youth population, has also become a victim of a brain drain. According to the Department of Immigration and Overseas Employment statistics, more than 10 million Pakistanis are estimated to have left their homeland in search of better economic and professional opportunities. Engineers, paramedics, doctors, medical candidates, accountants and graduate students are among the highly qualified professionals. According to a senior official, the main reasons for the brain drain among young people are growing poverty and political unpredictability. During this period of brain drain, Pakistan lost nurses, computer experts, accountants, agricultural experts and doctors. Pakistani experts chose destinations such as Gulf, and South East Asia, Europe, and the United States primarily for their superior prospects.
According to the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), approximately 31% of Pakistan's recently graduated youth are unemployed. Talented individuals are not even provided an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities in large corporations or institutions. It was discussed at the UNESCO Executive Conference that Pakistan's high-skilled migration rate increased by more than 50%, from 6.1% in 1990 to 13.1% in 2020. According to the Bureau of Immigration States report, approximately 765,000 young people seek better futures and opportunities in foreign destinations. Pakistan has lost teachers, engineers, nurses, doctors, IT specialists and computer experts as a result of this year's brain drain. In a recent survey conducted by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, 37% of respondents said they would leave if offered the opportunity. Because comparable data are not available, it is impossible to say whether this figure has increased in comparison to previous figures. A similar poll conducted by Gallup in early May 2022 found that 26% of people would be willing to leave
Engineering, according to experts, has suffered the most. Javed Saleem Qureshi, Chairman of the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), stated, "Due to the lack of development in the country, the field of engineering is the worst hit." "In this field, there are almost no jobs." The PEC chairman continued:"The primary reason engineers leave the country is that."
According to data from the Bureau of Emigration in recent years, Saudi Arabia is the most likely destination for workers from Pakistan. In search of better opportunities, over 5.3 million people moved to the kingdom. The United Arab Emirates came in second with 3.8 million Pakistani citizens looking for better professional opportunities in the country. Similarly, 791, 000 people left for Oman, 183, 505 for Qatar, 171, 428 for Bahrain, 183, 601 for Kuwait, 106,652 for Malaysia, 74, 624 for Iraq, 12, 879 for Iran, 13, 544 for Britain, and about 6,000 for the United States.
Brain drain has become a frequent occurrence in Pakistan. In Pakistan, the rate of unemployment and poverty is so high that about one-third of people are considering quitting their best option. Several young people in Pakistan are compelled to emigrate because of political unrest, poverty, unemployment, and a lack of opportunity. Due to the lack of appreciation for talent and the absence of a meritocracy, our youth perceive returning to their native country as a regrettable act.
The government of Pakistan must strive to prevent the brain drain from the country. The Higher Education Commission needs to take a slew of steps, and at the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bureau of Overseas Employment Cooperation need to assist the government find skilled people through appropriate infrastructure and established partnerships. The lack of career guidance and counseling services for our youth makes it difficult for them to make their own professional decisions. To facilitate educated people in their appropriate positions, human resource planning and management should take significant action. The younger generation in Pakistan needs to understand that they are the country's future and that "it's better to work for your own country and help it to flourish rather than working in other countries and draining your brain for them.