Pakistan has won a gold and two silver medals at the third International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO-2026), held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Backed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the competition was held from August 2 to 8, and brought together around 120 students and experts from 19 countries, including China, Japan, Russia, Turkiye, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.

Muhammad Ali from Government College University (GCU), Lahore, won a gold medal, while Muhammad Usman and Seerat Fatima Bhatti secured silver medals for Pakistan.

Syed Shuja Haider also represented Pakistan at the Olympiad.

The students were selected through the Pakistan Nuclear Science Olympiad (Panso), an initiative of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) aimed at identifying and nurturing young scientific talent for participation in the International Nuclear Science Olympiad.

The International Nuclear Science Olympiad is a premier international competition in nuclear science for secondary-school students, promoting scientific excellence and international cooperation in nuclear science and technology.

The Olympiad provides young students with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of nuclear science and its peaceful applications.

The achievement reflects Pakistan’s continued emphasis on developing young scientific talent and encouraging students to pursue education and careers in nuclear science and technology.

In another significant development, Pakistan was announced as the host of the fourth International Nuclear Science Olympiad in 2027.

On the occasion, Dr Muhammad Maqsood from the PAEC Directorate of Education and Dr Sajjad Tahir from PIEAS received a commemorative memento marking Pakistan’s selection as the next host country.