(Digital Itla) Pakistan has crossed another significant milestone in international science competitions by winning three bronze medals at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) held in Bucaramanga, Colombia, from July 4 to July 12, 2026.
The Pakistani team clinched these bronze medals thanks to the brilliant performance of Zulfiqar Ali from Government City Boys School, Dera Ghazi Khan; Ali Hamdan Alvi from FG Sir Syed College, Rawalpindi; and Danial Shahzad Hamid from The Science School, Rawat, Islamabad. In addition, Huzza Mahmood from Aitchison College, Lahore, and Abdullah Ejaz from Siddique Public School, Rawalpindi, received honorable mentions for their outstanding performances.
More than 400 prominent students from over 90 countries participated in these competitions, providing a prestigious platform for young physicists to showcase their scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills. These students were selected through the 22nd National Science Talent Contest (NSTC), organized under the STEM Careers Programme—a joint initiative of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS).
Following a rigorous nationwide selection process, the chosen students underwent intense training camps at the PIEAS campus, where they received high-level theoretical and experimental training from national and international experts. This comprehensive preparation enabled the students to compete at the highest international level and represent Pakistan gloriously at the 56th International Physics Olympiad. The Pakistani team was led by PIEAS professors Dr. Muhammad Irfan and Dr. Muhammad Waseem.
It is worth noting that PIEAS, in collaboration with the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), conducts the National Science Talent Contest every year in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics to identify and nurture talented students at the secondary and higher secondary levels, including 9th and 10th grades, O-Level, F.Sc (Part 1), and A-Level (Part 1).
The NSTC is conducted across 19 cities in Pakistan. Top-performing students are invited to a series of training camps where they receive advanced scientific education and training before the final selection of national teams for the International Science Olympiads. The STEM Careers Programme office at HEC coordinates these training activities and facilitates Pakistan's participation in international competitions.
The home institutes for this program include PIEAS for Physics, NIBGE-C (PIEAS) for Biology, the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry at the University of Karachi for Chemistry, and the Lahore Campus of COMSATS University Islamabad for Mathematics.
It is important to mention that Pakistan has been participating in the International Physics Olympiad since 2001, the International Mathematical Olympiad since 2005, and the International Biology and Chemistry Olympiads since 2006. Since the inception of the STEM Careers Programme, more than 365 Pakistani students have represented the country in International Science Olympiads, winning a total of 144 medals. Furthermore, over 5,000 students have benefited from the 256+ advanced training camps organized under this program. Through continued support for scientific education, modern research, and human resource development via institutions like PIEAS, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission remains committed to nurturing young scientific talent and promoting excellence in science and technology for the socio-economic development of the country.
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