India, Dec. 27 -- Pakistan is witnessing an unprecedented outflow of skilled professionals even as its military leadership frames the trend as a strategic advantage rather than a national setback.

Despite official assertions of "brain gain," fresh data shows that thousands of highly qualified Pakistanis have exited the country over the past two years, driven by deepening economic stress, political uncertainty and shrinking professional opportunities.

In April 2025, Chief of Defence Staff Asim Munir addressed the inaugural Overseas Pakistanis' Convention, describing expatriate citizens as a source of "brain gain" instead of "brain drain."

Munir argued that Pakistanis working abroad serve as informal ambassadors, strengthening the countr...