While many Pakistanis dream of moving overseas, a lesser-known story unfolds—one of foreigners who have embraced Pakistan, enriching its education, economy, and social fabric.

In the last two editions of Hilal Magazine, I’ve written about a few extraordinary foreigners who made Pakistan their home since 1947 and who contributed significantly to the development and early progress of Pakistan. There are many more whose stories have not yet been told but those will make an appearance in these pages at various times in the future as research continues into this aspect of Pakistan’s history.
The earlier settlers came here mostly to work in education and health, and some were pioneers in Pakistan’s nascent military forces post-Partition. In this edition, we look at why a newer generation of foreigners have chosen to settle in Pakistan in recent years and how they are contributing to the socioeconomic development of the nation, as well as taking a continuing look at more foreigners who have played an important role in education.
In an era when hundreds of thousands of Pakistani’s leave every year to work and live overseas – many permanently – it comes as a surprise to many that foreigners, particularly from developed western countries, choose to settle in Pakistan. The number is tiny in comparison to those leaving but for most of us who have made the leap, Pakistan is our home. 
‘Foreigner’ is a common term around the world. Basically it defines someone who does not hold citizenship of the country in which they are residing and has various legal implications regarding immigration requirements, residency, property and business ownership. Pakistan is no different. The word also has cultural implications. Foreigners can sometimes be treated unkindly by the communities in countries in which they settle particularly if they ‘look different’ or have different cultural or religious practices. This has become a simmering issue in some western countries where, for example, Islamaphobia has reared its ugly head. In Pakistan, foreigners rarely, if ever, encounter racism and bigotry based on differening religions and looking different. This is a tribute to the hospitality of the people of Pakistan; making foreigners feel welcome.
Interestingly, the majority of foreigners who have made Pakistan their home are women who have married Pakistanis. Some have lived here 30 or 40 years and are truly integrated, raising their families in a multi-cultural household, working and mingling as locals. Although few statistics are publicly available, indications are that there are few foreign men who are settling here. That may change as new economic opportunities attract investors. 

Again, there are no available statistics, but research indicates that dedication to education, and helping the poor is where we continue to find foreigners who have dedicated most of their adult lives to Pakistan. Education is a key to the nation’s success and good schools providing quality education are vital. Irish Nuns and Brothers feature in many stories. Sister Berchman of the Convent of Jesus and Mary and the Mill House Brothers of Burn Hall have been discussed in previous stories. There is another. The Presentation Sisters, officially the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, are a religious institute of Roman Catholic women founded in Cork, Ireland, by Honora "Nano" Nagle in 1775 when Ireland's Education Act 1695 precluded the less advantaged from education.
The Presentation Sisters' mission is to help the poor and needy around the world. Historically, the Sisters focused their energies on creating and staffing schools that would educate young people, especially young women. Most of these schools are still in operation and can be found across the globe including in Pakistan.
On September 8, 1895, the first Presentation Convent School was opened in the Punjab region of British India by three Irish religious sisters. Originally the schools were mainly for the families of British and Irish families stationed in India. After Partition the Presentation Sisters stayed in Pakistan and continued to run their schools and educate children of all faiths. Today in Pakistan there are many Presentation schools catering for the educational needs of thousands of children in Urdu-and English-medium schools. There are Presentation Convent schools in Rawalpindi, Murree, Peshawar, Jhelum, Sargodha, Khushab, Risalpur, Mingora in Swat, Hassanabdal/Wah, and in Tando Allah Yar, Khipro and Tando Adam in Sindh. 
Although mostly staffed these days by local nuns and other teachers, there are still Irish nuns from the Presentation order who have been here for decades like Sister Eilish Heaney from the Convent in Murree, and Sister Bridie Walsh (who originally came from Cork, the home of the Presentation Sisters) from Rawalpindi. Both are now in their 80’s and have served the people of all faiths of Pakistan for many decades with love and dedication to provide quality education for the nation’s children, including some of the most disadvantaged, to give them the best chance in life. The Sisters also raise money from donors in Ireland to support vulnerable women in their communities—widows, deserted wives, and those whose husbands are suffering from illnesses like cancer—helping to ease their hardship and improve their lives.

In Pakistan, foreigners rarely, if ever, encounter racism and bigotry based on differening religions and looking different. This is a tribute to the hospitality of the people of Pakistan; making foreigners feel welcome.

Education continues to attract foreigners who come to work in the international schools like Beaconhouse, the International School and others and some stay for years. The Langlands School and College, an outstanding educational facility in Chitral, continues to be led by a foreigner as it has from the very beginning. Ms. Carey Scofield, OBE, from the United Kingdom (UK), took over the role of Principal in 2013 and taken the not-for-profit school to new levels of academic excellence and in professional governance. 
In her message introducing the school on their website, Principal Schofield says, “The Langlands School and College provides an ordered and disciplined environment where our values of honesty, hard work, gentleness, service to others and courage–physical and intellectual–can flourish. We value the life of the mind and we encourage the young people in our care to enjoy learning for its own sake and to pursue truth always. We are ambitious for our pupils. Expecting all of them to give of their very best in all that they do. Want to give the strong plenty to yearn for and the weaker nothing to run from. Our pupils are encouraged to be tolerant of the ways of other people and yet aware of their own shortcomings. We are fortunate to have outstanding teachers who have proved themselves willing to give generously of their time and energy for the sake of the pupils. We are proud that our teachers lead by example, demonstrating in their own lives the values that the school upholds.” Inspirational words indeed.
So, what is it really like for a foreigner to live in Pakistan? My own experience has always been positive. Life is mostly ‘normal’—living in the capital, taking on consultancies and advisory work, primarily in various aspects of Disaster Management, supporting projects that benefit the less fortunate, and traveling across the country to enjoy its remarkable scenery. Most foreigners who have settled here have worked like locals or participated in activities that benefit the poor, working alongside local staff.
After living here for many years, the question I am still most often asked is, “Why on earth would you choose to live in Pakistan?” Surprisingly, it is Pakistanis who are curious about this rather than foreign friends. My answer is simple: “The people, their hospitality, and the diverse beauty of the country”.  Questioning other foreigners here on this topic brings the same answer. Hospitality! People are genuinely curious about why shift from the developed world to a developing country but there is much to offer and make one feel at home. There is a tendency all over the world to think the grass is greener elsewhere but generally, it’s not. Live in a place where you feel happy and welcome and also earn a living is the recipe for a good life. But it takes hard work and patience. I hope Pakistanis who want to leave change their minds and see the potential at home if we all work hard together. The country has progressed significantly since foreigners starting heading to a life in a newly-founded country post 1947 and the  scope of activities that new arrivals and locals can embrace has expanded significantly.
International experts, educators, and researchers contribute to education, healthcare, and training programs. They enhance local expertise and introduce innovative solutions to challenges, working alongside Pakistani colleagues.
Tourists help sustain local economies in scenic regions across the country. Their visits not only support businesses but also promote Pakistan's image globally. There is also a growing number of international investors in the tourism industry and infrastructure.
Foreigners living or working in Pakistan help foster understanding and exchange of traditions, art, and cuisine, enriching the cultural fabric of the nation.
International organizations and expatriates provide aid during natural disasters and support development projects, especially in rural or underserved areas.
It is worth remembering though that the foreigners contribute to but do not replace the impressive work being done by Pakistanis in these and other sectors to build the socioeconomic prosperity of the country.
Pakistan’s current foreign community can be divided into two groups; the long-term ‘settlers’ who have been here for more than, say, ten years or more, and those on career postings for several years working in embassies as diplomats, or for multi-lateral institutions, the United Nations, academic institutions, and the corporate world. Most love their time here and take every opportunity to travel within the country during their free time. This is great for Pakistan’s emerging tourism industry. 
Their official and non-official contributions are important and valuable for the economy.  Their contributions can be viewed through various lenses particularly foreign aid and development funding from bilateraal and multilateral donors. This runs into billions of dollars in grants and loans though foreign aid is reducing substantially, particularly in recent times due to the huge impact of some donor countries cutting off aid. And then there is the amount of foreign currency the international staffers expend while assigned in the country for rent, utilities, household staff and drivers, social activities like dining out, hosting dinners and events, travel, shopping and other living expenses. This is substantial and has a trickle-down effect. 
With foreign aid funding evaporating, Pakistan needs to increase foreign investment in large and small projects. Foreign companies and individual investors bring capital, create jobs and boost industries like energy, technology, and infrastructure. Initiatives like the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) have transformed the landscape with new projects, opportunities, and a review of the regulatory environment. However, it is not only large foreign investors who are critical to economic development—SMEs and entrepreneurs who recognize the potential for growth in niche sectors also play a vital role.
I spoke with one of Pakistan’s leading foreign-born entrepreneurs, Nicole Waheed—a Polish-born Australian who trained as a corporate lawyer in Australia and worked at top international law firms there and in London. She is a prime example of a foreign entrepreneur who has made Pakistan her home. In a complete shift from the legal profession, she has built an impressive chain of food and hospitality businesses in Pakistan. After meeting and marrying a Pakistani from a well-respected family, she made the life-changing decision to leave behind a promising legal career at a top London firm and move to Lahore with her new husband.
Not one to sit idly at home after such a hectic career, she discussed a proposal with her new family to convert an existing building in the busy Blue Area in the heart of Islamabad, to a world-class European style bakery and café and renovate and reimagine the upper floor into a 20-room modern boutique hotel. She and her husband took on the construction management themselves; not an easy task as anyone who has ever built a house or commercial building knows only too well. In parallel with the construction work, she set about finding European bakers and local café staff and to train them in high-quality food preparation and service, and a full range of hospitality staff for the hotel.
 In 2016, the first Loafology Bakery and Café opened and became an instant hit with both locals and the international community. A second, smaller outlet soon followed in the Diplomatic Enclave. Meanwhile, work on the boutique hotel continued, and it opened in 2021. Since then, three more Loafology cafés have launched—one in F-11 in Islamabad and two in Lahore. A Pan-Asian restaurant, Sesame & Soy, located beneath Loafology and the 108 Hotel in Blue Area, has also been integrated into the hospitality group.
Many people assume that the hospitality business is easy to succeed in due to its low barriers to entry. However, they often overlook the long working hours, operational complexities of dealing with artisanal food (with more than 80 percent of food orders customized to customer preferences), capital requirements, and the margin challenges associated with this business model.
Despite the challenges, Nicole continues to see opportunities to introduce new food products to the local market, combining local produce with Western techniques. More recently, she and her husband partnered with a French cheesemaker to establish Himalayan Gourmet Cheese and enlisted European consultants to develop a new line of smoked meat products. Each business not only creates opportunities for local suppliers but also generates jobs and provides skills training for Pakistanis, enabling them to earn a stable income and support their families.
A passionate advocate for the protection of Pakistan’s wildlife and the environment, along with several friends, she has started a not-for-profit organisation to raise awareness and provide solutions for the needs of injured wildlife and to advocate for sanctuaries. She said, “This gives us another opportunity to make a difference to our local community by sharing our international experience and knowledge. It’s building connections like these that is energising and inspiring.”  
I asked Nicole whether she finds life in Pakistan vastly different from living in Australia or the UK. She said, “There are similarities since I live in urban centers, but social norms are more conservative, particularly in terms of clothing. People also have strong family connections, which often translate into a sense of collective responsibility. A good example of this is when parents request to meet us and our managers before agreeing to let their adult children work with us!”
And what’s my own story? Readers of Hilal (for which I have written regularly for over 12 years) will be familiar with some of it—my work and my background. But for those who aren’t, I first landed in Pakistan in 2003. I arrived in the early hours of a steamy, hot morning at the old Islamabad Airport. I was traveling alone because no one wanted to join me, believing Pakistan was too dangerous and that it was madness to visit. The travel warnings were alarming, and friends questioned the wisdom of my trip. But they needn’t have worried, and I certainly wasn’t.
During my two-week stay, I quickly realized that the country I was experiencing and the warm, welcoming people I was meeting did not match the perceptions held in the West. I had such an enjoyable time that I was eager to return when the opportunity arose just three months later. That visit marked the beginning of a deep and abiding fondness for the country and its people. I continued visiting regularly until eventually making Pakistan my home in 2010.
We can’t deny that Pakistan has had more than its share of problems in the past. But then again, what country hasn’t? During my time here, the country has endured some of the worst disasters in history—political upheaval, terrorist attacks, the impact of conflict, sectarian violence, an energy crisis, crushing poverty, food insecurity, COVID-19, and a litany of other challenges. Yet, we have come through them.
Despite these difficulties—which cannot be ignored but can be overcome—I choose to focus on the positives, and there are many. It is these that I write about in these pages, drawing from both my professional and personal experiences. I have met wonderful people in cities, towns, and villages and have been deeply touched by their generous hospitality and inclusiveness.
My work and love for travel have taken me across this spectacular country, including the breathtakingly beautiful Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), the Tribal Areas, all the provinces, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), where I have researched stories on people, diverse cultures, stunning landscapes, and Pakistan’s rich history.
I’ve worked on some of the most challenging disasters in the country’s history alongside capable and committed Pakistanis, and been humbled by the courage and resilience of people facing the most challenging of circumstances. I’ve been inspired by the talent and potential of young Pakistanis who are a joy to work with. And I’ve also had so many funny and memorable times and made a large circle of friends who so frequently overwhelm me with their kindness and generosity of spirit. Living in Pakistan does not seem at all an odd choice and I intend to stay.

The writer is an Australian Disaster Management and Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Advisor currently residing in Islamabad. She consults for the government and United Nations agencies and has previously worked with the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
E-mail: [email protected]