Pakistan Posts Best-Ever Showing at International Mathematical Olympiad
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has recorded its strongest performance to date at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), securing two bronze medals and two honourable mentions at the 67th International Mathematical Olympiad 2026 held in Shanghai, China.
According to details, the national team also achieved Pakistan’s highest-ever aggregate score since the country began taking part in the world’s leading mathematics competition.
In addition to the IMO, the Pakistan team participated in a Chinese Mathematics Competition organised by the Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications (BIMSA) in Beijing, where Pakistani students secured two third-place positions.
The selection and training of Pakistan’s IMO team is conducted under a collaborative national framework. The STEM Careers Programme, a joint initiative of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), carries out the initial screening of talented students through the Pakistan National Science Talent Contest (NSTC).
After the national selection process, the Department of Mathematics at COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Lahore Campus, functions as the National Training Centre for Pakistan’s International Mathematical Olympiad Team.
The selected students went through a demanding year-long training programme that included four intensive residential training camps. Two back-to-back camps were held in August and September 2025, followed by a third camp in December 2025. The final preparatory camp took place in June 2026, shortly before the team left for China.
Besides the residential camps, faculty members of the Department of Mathematics at COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, provided continuous online mentoring, advanced problem-solving sessions, regular assignments and academic guidance throughout the year to keep the students fully engaged in their preparation.
Chairman, Department of Mathematics, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Prof Dr Sarfraz Ahmad said the landmark achievement showed that Pakistani students have outstanding mathematical talent and can compete with the world’s best young mathematicians when given structured training.
“Recording Pakistan’s highest-ever team score at the IMO is a proud milestone for all partner institutions of COMSATS University,” he said.
Rector COMSATS University Prof Dr Raheel Qamar said the university remained committed to promoting excellence in mathematics education, strengthening STEM education and nurturing the next generation of scientists, researchers and innovators who would contribute to Pakistan’s scientific and technological progress.
He said COMSATS University had consistently ranked among the top institutions in mathematics in Pakistan and expressed pride in the commitment of its faculty members.
Earlier, Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar also appreciated the performance of the Pakistan contingent through a congratulatory message on social media.
