A Pakistani startup has made headlines with a breakthrough act of compassion, delivering 3D-printed prosthetic arms to two young girls who lost their limbs in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. The startup, Bioniks, has become the first from Pakistan to carry out such a humanitarian effort internationally.

Eight-year-old Sidra Al Bordeeni and three-year-old Habebat Allah were both victims of separate attacks in Gaza in 2023. After months of trauma and physical loss, they were given a new beginning thanks to Bioniks, which crafted the customized limbs at its facility in Karachi. The prosthetics were delivered in person by CEO Anas Niaz at a refugee camp in Jordan, where the girls are currently living with their families.

The innovation lies not just in the technology, but in the way it was applied. Using only a smartphone app and no in-person visit, Bioniks was able to take precise measurements and tailor the prosthetics specifically for each child. This kind of remote accessibility means children in war-torn and medically underserved areas can now receive vital support without the need to travel.

Sidra, who lost her arm while sheltering at a school, held back tears as she explained what the new limb meant to her: the chance to hug her father with both arms for the first time since the attack. She also rode a bicycle again, something she hadn’t imagined possible since her injury.

Habebat’s prosthetic was funded by donations from Pakistan, while Sidra’s was supported by Mafaz Clinic in Amman. These efforts are part of Bioniks’ wider mission to bring dignity and function back to those who need it most.

With thousands of amputee children in Gaza and countless more in other conflict zones, Bioniks’ work shows that cutting-edge technology from Pakistan can have global impact. The startup plans to expand its services to other regions like Ukraine, continuing to deliver low-cost, life-enhancing solutions where they are needed most.

In a time of global crisis, this mission stands as a powerful reminder that innovation from the Global South can change lives, and that empathy, when paired with science, knows no borders.