Sualeh Asif's success creating Cursor AI (a $10 billion startup) leaves some Pakistanis unhappy

Recent debate in Pakistan revolves around Sualeh Asif, co‑founder of Cursor AI (a product of Anysphere), now valued at around $10 billion. Some voices argue that his success reflects the strength of Pakistani talent, while others see it as a sign that our ecosystem fails to nurture homegrown innovation.

Credit: ZDNET Japan

Mohsin Rasheed, project manager at NeuroHeap, pointed out on LinkedIn:

“Sualeh Asif’s success has NOTHING to do with Pakistan… He Succeeded Despite Pakistan, Not Because of It!!”

Rasheed highlights that Sualeh Asif earned his credentials at MIT and built Cursor in San Francisco, backed by Silicon Valley infrastructure and mentorship.

On the other hand, advocates emphasize the lasting influence of Pakistan’s educational foundation. One comment reads:

“Sualeh was born, raised, and studied till A‑levels in Pakistan;… discipline, consistency, and access to the right tools matter more than just location.”

Startup.pk published an analysis urging reflection: Pakistan clearly nurtures intellectual potential, yet lacks the infrastructure to sustain it. The writer stated:

“Talent is not our issue. Access is.”

Sualeh’s journey from Karachi to international math Olympiads, then MIT, then Silicon Valley underscores two truths:

1. Raw talent exists in Pakistan. Sualeh attended Nixor College, represented Pakistan in math contests, earned scholarships, and made his way to MIT.
2. Our ecosystem needs a serious upgrade. Once abroad, he accessed world-class education, mentorship, and funding—elements our system lags in providing.

So,

What should Pakistan do?

• Expand advanced STEM education beyond rote learning.
• Build mentorship networks linking experienced founders with young innovators.
• Provide early‑stage funding to high‑impact tech ventures.
• Retain talent by creating environments where global‑scale companies can be built locally.

Sualeh Asif’s achievement is not merely a personal victory; it’s a mirror held up to Pakistan. His journey shows us the necessary ingredients for success. The real task is embedding those ingredients into our tech ecosystem, so that future innovators don’t feel compelled to leave.

Let’s channel this moment into action, so the next startup valued in billions can truly be a “Made in Pakistan” story.