58 Pakistani scientists named among world’s top two percent researchers

58 Pakistani scientists named among world’s top two percent researchers

KARACHI: Pakistan has reached an important milestone in global science and research, as 58 Pakistani scientists have been ranked among the world’s top two percent most influential researchers. The recognition comes from the latest Global Citation Impact Rankings, which assess scientific influence using international publication and citation data. The achievement highlights Pakistan’s growing footprint in global research, particularly in health and medical sciences.

Strong representation in health and medical sciences

The rankings show that a large proportion of Pakistani scientists on the list belong to the health sector, including public health, clinical medicine, nutrition, endocrinology, psychiatry, infectious diseases, microbiology, and health policy. A smaller but important group represents agriculture, veterinary sciences, pharmacology, rehabilitation, and behavioral sciences.

Experts say this pattern reflects Pakistan’s long-standing focus on medical and population health research, despite operating within limited funding and institutional resources.

Prominent national and global figures

Among the most prominent names on the list are Professor Dr. Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Professor Javed Akram, and Professor Abdul Basit.

Professor Dr. Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta is internationally recognized for his work in maternal and child health and nutrition. Professor Javed Akram is known for his contributions to academic medicine and health system reforms, while Professor Abdul Basit is globally regarded as a leading authority on diabetes and metabolic disorders.

Aga Khan University leads national representation

The rankings once again highlight the leading role of Aga Khan University, which has secured the highest number of scientists from any Pakistani institution, with nearly 20 researchers included in the global list.

AKU scientists have been recognized for decades of work in public health, pediatrics, nutrition, infectious diseases, epidemiology, and clinical medicine, supported by strong international collaborations and long-term research programs.

Other distinguished Pakistani scientists on the list

In addition to the leading figures, several other Pakistani scientists have been featured, reflecting the depth and diversity of the country’s medical research community. These include J. Kumar Das, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Zafar Ahmed Fatmi, Imran Rashid Ahmed, Faiza Jahan, Waris Qidwai, Romina Iqbal, Farah Naz Qamar, Muhammad Imran Nisar, Samin Siddiqui, Qurratulain Qidwai, Tazeen Saeed Ali, and Saleema R. Walani.

Wide institutional representation across Pakistan

Beyond Aga Khan University, researchers from several public and private institutions have also been recognized. These include Ijaz Ahmed Khan and Babar Tasneem Sheikh from the Health Services Academy, Islamabad; Farooq Azam Rathore and Liaquat Ali from the National University of Medical Sciences; Syed Aamir Gilani and Ashfaq Ahmed from the University of Lahore; and Irfanullah, Umar Bacha, and Sonia Mukhtar from the University of Management and Technology, Lahore.

Their work spans key areas such as rehabilitation sciences, public health, pharmacy, and psychology.

Further representation comes from Quaid-i-Azam University, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Bahauddin Zakariya University, National Institute of Health, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, and several other institutions across the country, showing that scientific excellence is emerging from multiple regions and disciplines.

How the global ranking is compiled

The world’s top two percent scientists list is compiled annually by a research team at Stanford University, led by Professor John P. A. Ioannidis, using data drawn from Scopus-indexed publications. The ranking is based on a comprehensive and transparent methodology that evaluates multiple indicators of scientific influence, including total citations, h-index, authorship position, and field-specific impact, ensuring fair comparison across disciplines.

While experts note that citation-based rankings do not fully reflect teaching quality or national policy influence, they agree that such recognition is an important indicator of international scientific visibility.

A positive signal for Pakistan’s research ecosystem

Analysts view the inclusion of 58 Pakistani scientists as a strong and encouraging sign for a research ecosystem that operates under financial and structural constraints. They believe that with greater investment in research, improved governance, and clearer national scientific priorities, Pakistan’s presence in global research rankings can expand further in the coming years.

This recognition not only celebrates individual excellence but also underscores the collective contribution of Pakistan’s medical and scientific community to global knowledge, public health, and patient care.

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