Islamabad: The Higher Education Commission honoured 118 researchers from universities in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and nearby areas who have been named among the world’s top two percent scientists, reaffirming a national push for research that delivers measurable socio-economic benefit. Certificates were distributed by Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar in a ceremony attended by numerous vice chancellors, deans and faculty members.
Dr. Zia ul Haq, Executive Director HEC and himself included in the global ranking, and Dr. Engr. Muhammad Ali Nasir, Advisor Research & Innovation Division, were present to acknowledge the achievement and outline follow-up activities. HEC will mount similar recognition events across the provinces and stage a research exhibition to showcase the work of the recognised scholars.
More than 1,000 Pakistani researchers appeared on the 2025 Stanford University ranking of the world’s top scientists, a list that highlights over 100,000 researchers worldwide based on citation impact. The presence of so many Pakistani names underscores the growing footprint of local research in global scholarship and the importance of supporting those efforts at home.
Chairman HEC Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar praised the recognised researchers as ‘the stars of the nation’ and emphasised universities as primary centres for creating and transforming knowledge. He urged that the work of top scientists be tied directly to industrial needs and practical outcomes, noting that a single research paper that brings real change is far more valuable than hundreds of papers without tangible impact.
The chairman reiterated that HEC will continue to allocate substantial resources to research, provide funding and supportive initiatives, and encourage senior scholars to mentor the next generation. He stressed the role of teaching and mentorship in building sustained research capacity and producing citizens equipped to contribute to national development.
In his remarks, Dr. Zia ul Haq described inclusion among the top scientists as testament to the dedication of Pakistani scholars and the supportive role of universities and national institutions. He called on recognised researchers to cascade their expertise across campuses and help strengthen the country’s research community.
Dr. Engr. Muhammad Ali Nasir highlighted HEC’s research and innovation portfolio, pointing to programmes such as the National Research Programme for Universities (NRPU), Technology Development Fund (TDF), competitive research grants and international collaborations. He said these mechanisms are designed to strengthen research capacity, promote technology transfer and ensure outcomes translate into practical solutions and innovation.
Representatives of the recognised scholars stressed scientific integrity, curiosity and collaboration as essential values. They emphasised interdisciplinary cooperation and resource sharing as critical to addressing national challenges and said Pakistani researchers hold strong potential to contribute to both national uplift and the global scientific discourse.
