47 As in O, A levels: Pakistani student beats world record

Published
230

Haroon Tariq. — Photo by Dawn
Haroon Tariq. — Photo by Dawn

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani student, Haroon Tariq, has broken the current world record by securing a total of 47 As in his International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) O Level and A Level exams from the University of Cambridge International Examinations.

His subjects spanned both the humanities and sciences including Human and Social Biology, Islamic Religion and Culture, Physics, Chemistry and Global Development.

A student of Froebel’s International School (FIS), Haroon Tariq’s achievement had put Pakistan in the global spotlight.

In the O Levels, the previous world record was 28 As which was also held by a Pakistani student Zohaib Asad. However, Haroon Tariq obtained 38 As in O levels and a total of 47As in his O and A level exams.

While talking to Dawn, Haroon Tariq said he studied 50 different subjects in O and A levels during the span of three years. He said obtaining 47 As was not easy as he had to study different languages including Spanish and French.

“I want to study engineering in the future, but have not decided whether to specialise in software engineering or aeronautical engineering,” he said.

Haroon Tariq said his teachers guided him well due to which he achieved the remarkable score, adding that he had to give all his attention to his studies.

Head Principal of the school Shahmina Kamal said, “I feel honoured to be instrumental in shaping a competent youngster for tomorrow’s Pakistan.” Similarly, the head of the Dept of Examinations Sahar Pirzada said, “I always remind students that success is a state of mind. They need to trust themselves as they always know more than what they think they do.”

“Surely enough, we have students setting world records for academic excellence,” she said.

Opinion

Editorial

Fixing bond markets
Updated 01 Oct, 2026

Fixing bond markets

Pension funds, insurance companies, mutual funds, retail investors, and eventually, foreign investors must become bigger participants in the market.
Call centre rackets
01 Oct, 2026

Call centre rackets

A NUMBER of recent raids conducted by the authorities in different cities point to the growing threat fraudulent ...
Homeward bound
01 Oct, 2026

Homeward bound

FIVE months after Somali pirates captured an oil tanker carrying a 19-member multinational crew, Somali maritime...
Kashmir unresolved
Updated 30 Sep, 2026

Kashmir unresolved

The just solution lies in India addressing the issue through a trilateral dialogue involving the legitimate representatives of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan.
Water shortage
30 Sep, 2026

Water shortage

THAT the country is entering the Rabi season with an anticipated water shortage of nearly 25pc, the lowest carryover...
Young hearts
30 Sep, 2026

Young hearts

THE observance may have passed, but the message of World Heart Day should not fade with it. The occasion is a useful...