ow in its 11th edition, the annual list celebrates young changemakers across Asia who are making an impact through innovation, creativity and leadership. This year, seven Pakistanis made the cut across entertainment, science, technology, finance and social impact. It is a clear sign that the country’s global footprint is growing fast.

Among the most prominent names is Hania Aamir, whose popularity continues to rise both at home and abroad. Widely regarded as Pakistan’s most-followed woman on Instagram, where she recently crossed the 20 million followers mark, Aamir has become one of the defining faces of a new generation of Pakistani entertainment.

Over the past decade, she has delivered a string of hit television dramas including Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum, Meri Zindagi Hai Tu, Mere Humsafar, Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha and Ishqiya, while continuing to expand her international profile. She is also set to appear in Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo, Pakistan’s first original Netflix series.

Beyond acting, Aamir was appointed UN Women National Goodwill Ambassador for Pakistan in 2025, showing the influence of her voice beyond the entertainment industry.

Joining her on the list is filmmaker and visual artist Saman Kamraan, a National College of Arts graduate who tackles complex subjects that mainstream media usually avoids. Her short film, The Bed She Made, became the only Pakistani film selected for this year’s Busan International Short Film Festival, where it was praised for examining the intersection of climate change, fertility and women’s lived experiences through a distinctly Pakistani lens.

Before directing this film, she worked as an assistant director on Umro Ayyar, one of Pakistan’s first fantasy and sci-fi films, and has collaborated on international art projects across Asia.

While the entertainment category brought well-deserved recognition for Aamir and Kamraan, they were joined by five other Pakistanis whose achievements comprise a diverse range of fields.

Researcher Maheera Ghani was recognised for her contributions to healthcare innovation and semiconductor research. She has also become an advocate for women in science through WinSci Pakistan (an organisation focused on supporting women in STEM) and recently won the Nature Inspiring Women in Science Award.

In finance and technology, entrepreneurs Muhammad Furqan Karim Kidwai and Sarfraz Shahid Hussain were recognised for building Pluton AI, a smart automation startup that eliminates the headache of financial management for businesses.

Meanwhile, Karachi-based entrepreneur Syed Ismail secured a place on the list for founding Saraaf, a platform modernising commodity trade through digital solutions, while Fahad Shahbaz was recognised for his work in youth engagement and civic initiatives, proving that you don’t need a flashy product to make a real difference.

For Pakistan’s creative industries, however, the inclusion of Hania Aamir and Saman Kamraan carries particular significance. Their journeys represent two very different but equally important sides of contemporary storytelling: one a mainstream star with widespread appeal and the other an emerging filmmaker who uses independent cinema to confront uncomfortable societal questions.

Together, these seven trailblazers prove that Pakistani voices are reshaping global conversations. Whether through television, science or digital technology, Pakistan is carving out its own space on the world stage. And honestly? They are just getting started.