5 Pakistanis have made it to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia List 2023. These Pakistani youngsters have been included in the list for their contributions in multiple categories.
Forbes 30 under 30 list that pays tribute to young people under the age of 30 for their work. It has honored five Pakistanis in the 2023 edition. The Pakistanis who featured in 30 under 30 include tech artist Ayesha Mubarak Ali, screenwriter Azam Mahmood, cofounders Hassan and Islam of a startup named KalPay, and Bioniks founder Anas Niaz.
The list highlights artists, athletes, scientists and entrepreneurs, sports, and music stars and many more. Whose talents are recognized locally and internationally in their respective fields.
The achievements of these five people
Ayesha Mubarak Ali
Ayesha, an internationally acclaimed multimedia visual tech artist. She has gained recognition for her unique fusion of traditional methods and digital technology. Her artwork explores diverse themes such as identity politics, light pollution, space applications, and the future of humanity.
Ayesha holds the distinction of being the first Pakistani artist to collaborate with NASA scientists. Her artwork was even sent to the International Space Station through SpaceX for the Maleth II mission. She has showcased her fusion-art practice at prestigious international events and exhibitions, including the Karachi Biennale and Islington Mill Gallery.
Ayesha’s distinctive fusion-art approach has garnered recognition. Featuring her work in prestigious platforms like NFT NYC, Forbes Middle East, E27, Hello, and GRAZIA.
Azam Mahmood
Utilizing his storytelling powers. Azam has successfully introduced narratives of queer people of color to prominent television networks. A representation that was absent during his upbringing in Karachi.
Additionally, he collaborates with Ramy Youssef, the Golden Globe-winning actor, on the creation of the show “Ramy.” Through his work, Mahmood fearlessly explores subjects like male vulnerability with a blend of sensitivity and humor.
Shershah Hassan and Waleed Amjad In Forbes:
Shershah and Waleed, the co-founders of KalPay, a Sharia-compliant buy-now-pay-later startup, have made waves in the field of finance and venture capital. With a focus on reaching Pakistan’s vast Muslim population. KalPay aims to provide financial access in a country where credit card penetration is less than 1%.
By partnering with other tech companies like Foodpanda and Muawin, KalPay extends its reach and offers a convenient and accessible solution for transactions. Supported by investors like Singapore-based Sabr Capital, which specializes in Sharia-compliant ventures, Hassan and Islam have spearheaded an innovative approach to financial inclusion.
Anas Niaz
Anas is the founder of Bioniks, a social enterprise dedicated to the development of affordable bionic arms. Their prosthetics, created through 3D printing, are tailored to each individual and incorporate sensors and software, enabling users to grasp objects with robotic fingers.
These devices can be easily updated and monitored through a cloud-based system. Established in 2016, Bioniks possesses the capability to produce bionic arms for patients as young as 3 years old.
Remarkably, while typical bionic arms on the market often exceed $20,000 in cost. Bioniks offers their prosthetics at a fraction of that price, making them significantly more accessible.
Moreover, the company facilitates connections between individuals unable to afford the prosthetics and potential donors. Niaz, the founder of Bioniks, holds a bachelor’s degree in mechatronics, robotics, and automation from SZABIST Karachi.
