Pakistan Clinches First-Ever Gold at Int’l Biology Olympiad

News Desk

Islamabad: In a landmark victory for Pakistan, the country has won its first-ever Gold Medal at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO), signaling a new era of excellence in global science competitions.

Abdul Raffay Paracha, a brilliant student from Siddique Public School, earned the coveted Gold Medal at the 35th IBO held in the Philippines from July 20 to 27.

His outstanding performance has not only brought pride to the nation but also placed Pakistan among the top contenders in the international academic arena.

Team Pakistan competed under the banner of the STEM Careers Programme—a joint initiative of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS).

The delegation was led by Dr. Asma Imran and Dr. Asma Rehman of the National Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), a constituent institution of PIEAS and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC).

The success did not stop at gold. Ayyan Aslam from Government College University, Lahore, received an Honorable Mention for her impressive showing, while team members Sadia Zulfiqar (Siddique Public School, Rawalpindi) and Arooj Fatima (Fusion College, Shakargarh, Narowal) also represented the country with pride.

This victory is the latest milestone in Pakistan’s growing legacy in international science competitions. PIEAS, under PAEC, has been spearheading the National Science Talent Contest (NSTC) across four disciplines—Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics—preparing young minds through rigorous training and mentorship.

Since its first appearance at the IBO in 2006, Pakistan has gradually built a formidable presence in global Olympiads. To date, over 380 students have competed in international science contests, winning 140 medals, with more than 4,500 students trained through 240+ camps nationwide.

Pakistan’s triumph in the IBO is not just a medal win—it is a shining moment for science, youth, and national ambition.