Education · Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi, Pakistan
Pakistani students win gold and silver at science olympiad
Which Pakistani students won medals at INSO 2026?
Pakistani students won one gold and two silver medals at the 2026 International Nuclear Science Olympiad in Jeddah. Radio Pakistan identified the three winners in its August 9 report.
What is the background?
Specialist science competitions give young people an opportunity to test their knowledge beyond their own classrooms. INSO focuses on nuclear science and peaceful uses of the subject.
The organiser’s introduction describes an international competition for secondary-school students, under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Its 2026 gathering brought together delegations from 19 countries, with approximately 120 students and experts altogether. That combined figure should not be read as the number of competing students alone.
What happened?
Radio Pakistan reported a gold medal for Muhammad Ali of Government College University Lahore. Muhammad Usman of F.G. Sir Syed College in Rawalpindi and Seerat Fatima Bhatti of Nixor College, Karachi, won silver.
The achievement gives three different Pakistani cities a connection to the same international scientific event.
How did it happen?
Mawhiba’s published programme scheduled the experimental examination for August 4 and the theoretical examination for August 5. The closing ceremony followed on August 8, ahead of departures the next day.
The schedule also allocated time for leaders to discuss and translate examination papers, review scripts and moderate results. It provides useful context about how the contest was organised. It does not reveal each winner’s marks or the details of their preparation at home.
Why does it matter?
There is value in recognising scientific achievement by name and institution. Readers can see that the story concerns particular students, rather than an unnamed claim that a country has become a science leader.
The combination of theory and experiment is also a useful discussion point for teachers. Understanding a principle and applying it to a problem are related skills, but they are not identical.
For interested learners, the organiser’s public materials offer a starting point for understanding the subject and competition. Students should check current entry routes with their own school before assuming that an international programme accepts direct applications.
What were the key results?
- Muhammad Ali received gold.
- Muhammad Usman received silver.
- Seerat Fatima Bhatti received silver.
- Lahore was represented among the medal winners.
- Rawalpindi was represented among the medal winners.
- Karachi was represented among the medal winners.
What happens next?
The reported medals are a completed outcome. Future study choices and opportunities remain individual decisions; the sources do not announce guaranteed scholarships.
Read Indonesia’s Earth Science Olympiad story for another example of international student achievement, or browse the wider education section.
Sources & reporting notes
Radio Pakistan supplies the medal results. Mawhiba’s event pages explain the competition and schedule; we have not independently examined the students’ marked papers.
- Radio Pakistan · August 9, 2026
Names, institutions and medals.
- Mawhiba · INSO 2026 programme
Dated theoretical and experimental examination schedule.
- Mawhiba · About the competition
Secondary-school focus, international participation and peaceful applications.
Have a correction or a confirmed update? Contact our editorial team.
Common questions
- What does INSO stand for?
- INSO is the International Nuclear Science Olympiad, a competition focused on nuclear science and its peaceful applications.
- Does the result establish a national education ranking?
- No. It recognises these students’ competition performance and does not measure access to science education across Pakistan.