A medical student from Haripur has set a new academic record at Khyber Girls Medical College in Peshawar, winning 17 gold medals at the institution’s 2026 convocation ceremony.
Qandeel Murtaza from Haripur claimed the highest number of gold medals ever secured by a student in the college’s history. Her name was called repeatedly as she walked to the stage to collect her honors, with the hall applauding each time. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi personally presented the medals, with Qandeel’s father standing beside her on stage.
Two other graduates were also recognized at the ceremony. Muqaddas received 10 gold medals, while Sabeeh took home seven.
The convocation brought together students, faculty, and families to mark the graduation of the latest batch from Khyber Girls Medical College. The event recognized academic achievement across the MBBS program, with gold medals awarded for excellence across different subjects and years of study.
Qandeel’s record haul stood out considerably among the graduates honored at the event. Videos from the ceremony circulated widely on social media in the days following, drawing attention to her achievement from audiences across Pakistan.
Speaking to local media on the sidelines of the ceremony, Qandeel’s father, who works as a tailor, said education has always been a priority for the family despite limited financial resources. He shared that another daughter is currently enrolled at Khyber Medical College, one serves as a Grade-17 officer in the Federal Investigation Agency, another holds a PhD and is working in Islamabad, and a son has completed an engineering degree.
Qandeel Murtaza’s 17 Gold Medals Break Khyber Girls Medical College Record
Khyber Girls Medical College is one of the prominent public sector medical institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, operating under the KP government and affiliated with the University of Peshawar. The college admits students from across the province, with graduates going on to serve in hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout Pakistan.
Gold medals at convocation ceremonies in Pakistani medical colleges are typically awarded for topping individual subjects or professional examinations across the duration of the MBBS program. Securing 17 in a single ceremony represents performance sustained consistently over multiple years of study.
Officials at the event noted that achievements like Qandeel’s reflect the growing academic potential of women in medical institutions across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The province has seen increasing enrollment of female students in medical colleges over the past decade.
