Key Points:

• Medal Haul Achieved: The national team recorded a brilliant Pakistan International Physics Olympiad success by winning three Bronze Medals. Additionally, they secured two Honorable Mentions at the 56th IPhO in Colombia.

• Top Performers Honored: Bronze medals went to Zulfiqar Ali, Ali Hamdan Alvi, and Daniyal Shahzad Hamid. Meanwhile, Hazza Mahmood and Abdullah Ejaz earned Honorable Mentions.

• Rigorous Talent Pipeline: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) and PIEAS selected the students. Furthermore, they prepared them through the National Science Talent Contest (NSTC).

• Historical Milestone: This triumph increases Pakistan’s historical tally to 144 medals. Consequently, it marks a significant achievement across various International Science Olympiads.

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has achieved an outstanding milestone in global science education. Specifically, the nation is celebrating a major Pakistan International Physics Olympiad success at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO). The competition took place in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Ultimately, the event concluded with the Pakistani delegation securing three Bronze Medals and two Honorable Mentions.

The image is AI generated and used for illustration purposes only

The three prestigious bronze medals were claimed by three talented students. First, Zulfiqar Ali won from Government City Boys School in Dera Ghazi Khan. Next, Ali Hamdan Alvi succeeded from FG Sir Syed College in Rawalpindi. Finally, Daniyal Shahzad Hamid triumphed representing The Science School in Rawat, Islamabad. Furthermore, Hazza Mahmood of Aitchison College and Abdullah Ejaz from Siddeeq Public School received Honorable Mentions. This demanding global event drew over 400 exceptional young minds from more than 90 countries.

Elite Selection Process and Rigorous Training Camp Framework

The exceptional journey to this global accolade began locally through the 22nd National Science Talent Contest (NSTC). This specialized talent hunt runs under the umbrella of the STEM Careers Program. Therefore, it functions as a collaborative initiative between the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and PIEAS.

To ensure optimal performance on the global stage, the selected finalists underwent intense preparation. Specifically, they participated in multiple rounds of intensive residential training camps held at the PIEAS campus. During these academic camps, the young physicists received advanced theoretical instruction. Moreover, they gained experimental guidance from premier national and international experts. Consequently, this comprehensive preparation allowed the group to match the performance of international peers. The team was led by PIEAS mentors Prof. Dr. Muhammad Irfan and Dr. Muhammad Waseem.

Pakistan International Science Olympiad Performance Metric

Institutional Backing and Long-Term Socio-Economic Focus

Operating under the institutional supervision of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), PIEAS actively conducts the NSTC on an annual basis. The nationwide search targets high-potential students from diverse backgrounds. For example, it includes students studying in Class 9, Class 10, O-Level, F.Sc, and A-Level frameworks across 19 major Pakistani cities.

The overarching educational framework relies on dedicated home institutes to manage distinct disciplines. For instance, NIBGE-C handles Biology. Meanwhile, the HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry at the University of Karachi oversees Chemistry. Similarly, COMSATS University Islamabad manages Mathematics. Pakistan first entered the International Physics Olympiad in 2001. Subsequently, the state expanded its participation into Mathematics in 2005. This was followed by entry into Biology and Chemistry in 2006. Through these systematic pipelines, PAEC continues to cultivate technical expertise to support the country’s socio-economic development.

What recent milestone marks the Pakistan International Physics Olympiad success?

The national team successfully won three Bronze Medals. In addition, they secured two Honorable Mentions while competing against 400 participants from 90 countries at the 56th IPhO in Colombia.

Which institutional bodies manage this science talent pipeline?

The program runs as a joint effort between the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and PIEAS. Furthermore, it operates under the broader supervision of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC).

How long has Pakistan competed in these international science contests?

Pakistan initiated its participation in the Physics Olympiad back in 2001. Subsequently, the state expanded its footprint into Mathematics in 2005, followed by Biology and Chemistry in 2006.

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Key points:

• Jamaat-i-Islami Lahore held a protest at Ichhra on Ferozepur Road against rising petroleum prices and inflation.
• The demonstration was led by Ziauddin Ansari Advocate, while Hafiz Naeemur Rehman addressed participants.
• Protesters demanded the abolition of the petroleum levy and other taxes on petroleum products.
• The party called for the immediate withdrawal of recent electricity tariff increases.
• Demonstrators urged the government to take action against alleged flour and LPG profiteering.
• Jamaat-i-Islami proposed fixing petrol prices at Rs225 per litre for the next three years.
• The party warned it would continue its campaign if public demands remained unaddressed.

LAHORE – Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Friday organised a protest demonstration in Lahore against rising petroleum prices, electricity tariff increases, inflation and what it described as the influence of Independent Power Producers (IPPs), while demanding the abolition of the petroleum levy and other taxes on fuel.

The protest was held at Ichhra on Ferozepur Road following an appeal by JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman. The demonstration was led by Jamaat-i-Islami Lahore Ameer Ziauddin Ansari Advocate, while Hafiz Naeem addressed participants during the gathering.

A large number of party workers, traders, youth and local residents attended the protest. Several senior party leaders, including Lahore Secretary Azhar Bilal, deputy ameers Khalid Ahmed Butt, Engineer Akhlaq Ahmed, Chaudhry Muhammad Shaukat, Malik Shahid Aslam and Waqas Ahmed Butt, also participated.

The demand of protestors

The protesters demanded the abolition of all taxes imposed on petroleum products, including the petroleum levy, and called on the government to withdraw recent electricity tariff increases. They also urged authorities to take action against those allegedly responsible for artificial increases in flour and LPG prices.

Participants further proposed freezing petrol prices at Rs225 per litre for the next three years, arguing that such a measure would help curb inflation and provide economic stability.

Addressing the rally, Ziauddin Ansari said continuous increases in petroleum prices were placing additional financial pressure on households by raising transportation costs and increasing the prices of essential commodities.

He maintained that the government should pass on the benefit of lower international oil prices to consumers and restore petroleum prices to previous levels to provide relief from inflation.

Read more: Pakistan’s IT exports reach record $4.5 Billion in FY2025-26

What the JI Lahore Chief further stated

The JI Lahore chief also alleged that electricity tariff increases primarily benefited IPPs rather than consumers, while accusing flour and LPG traders of creating artificial shortages and price hikes. He called on the government to ensure implementation of official prices and take action against hoarding and profiteering.

Criticising the government’s economic policies, Ansari said the administration had failed to provide meaningful relief to citizens and was placing additional financial burdens on the public through taxes and inflation.

He said Jamaat-i-Islami would continue its campaign under the leadership of Hafiz Naeemur Rehman if the government’s policies remained unchanged.

Key points:

• Pakistan’s IT exports reached approximately $4.5 billion in FY2025-26.
• Exports increased from $3.475 billion recorded a year earlier.
• Pakistani technology firms expanded into Asia-Pacific markets, including Japan and Singapore.
• Software, BPO, SaaS and gaming emerged as key growth segments.
• Industry leaders credited the growth to Pakistan’s skilled and competitive workforce.
• Payoneer expanded support for exporters through multi-currency payment solutions.

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s information technology (IT) exports reached approximately $4.5 billion during fiscal year 2025-26, marking a record high as technology companies expanded beyond their traditional markets in the United States and Europe.

Official data compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) showed that IT exports maintained steady growth throughout the fiscal year. The sector generated $4.5 billion, compared with $3.475 billion in FY2024-25.

Asia-Pacific emerges as a key market

Pakistani small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) increasingly targeted Asia-Pacific (APAC) markets, particularly Japan and Singapore, as part of efforts to diversify export destinations.

The expansion reduced dependence on traditional markets and opened new opportunities for technology companies across the region.

Software, BPO and gaming drive growth

The IT sector continued to benefit from demand for software development services.

At the same time, high-growth segments such as Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and gaming expanded their global presence.

Industry experts attributed the growth to Pakistan’s young, skilled and cost-competitive workforce, which continues to provide digital services to international clients.

Payoneer highlights expanding opportunities

Nagesh Devata, Senior Vice President and Head of APAC at Payoneer, said the sector’s performance reflected sustained international demand for Pakistan’s digital services.

He added that Pakistani businesses were increasingly focusing on building diversified revenue streams across multiple global markets.

However, he noted that expansion into Asia-Pacific also requires businesses to navigate different payment systems and financial regulations.

Payoneer said it continues to support Pakistani exporters through multi-currency payment solutions, allowing businesses to receive and manage payments in major currencies, including the US dollar, euro, British pound, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Japanese yen and Singapore dollar.

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