Pakistan’s youth prove their literary brilliance once again, securing global recognition in one of the world’s largest student reading competitions.

Karachi/Islamabad, June 2025

Pakistan continues to shine on the international stage as two of its young students have emerged victorious in the sixth edition of the Oxford Big Read (OBR) Global Awards, a global literacy initiative by Oxford University Press (OUP). Out of six global winners selected from thousands of entries worldwide, two Pakistani students brought home the honors—an incredible feat that places Pakistan firmly among the top-performing nations in literacy and creative writing.

This marks the second time Pakistani students have achieved this rare global distinction, reaffirming the country’s rising literacy standards and the exceptional talent of its younger generation.

📚 What Is the Oxford Big Read?

The Oxford Big Read is an international reading and writing competition designed to foster a lifelong love for books and creativity among students from around the globe. Launched in 2015, the initiative has rapidly expanded, welcoming participation from countries such as India, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Costa Rica, and Argentina—with Pakistan emerging as a consistent front-runner. In this year’s edition, a record-breaking 7,000+ entries were received from 575 schools across participating countries. Each country selected its national winners, who then competed in the global semi-finals. From there, the top six students worldwide were named global winners—and Pakistan claimed two of those spots

🇵🇰 Meet the Global Champions from Pakistan

• 🏆 Droshum Ali,
  Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Kharadar, Karachi
  Global Winner, Level 3 (Grade 9)
  Droshum impressed the judges with a thoughtful, articulate interpretation
  of her chosen book, showcasing originality, empathy, and critical
  thinking.


• 🥈 Anabia Imtanan,
  Winnington School, Khewra
  Global Runner-Up, Level 2 (Grade 6)
  Anabia’s creative response reflected a deep engagement with literature,
  earning her a well-deserved spot among the world’s best.

🎉 Celebrating the Victory

To honor the exceptional achievements of the national and global winners, two grand prize distribution ceremonies were held in Karachi and Islamabad. These events gathered students, teachers, parents, and dignitaries to celebrate not just the winners but the spirit of reading and creativity.

Speaking at the occasion, Arshad Saeed Husain, Managing Director of Oxford University Press Pakistan, remarked:

“Winning 2 out of 6 global awards is not just a victory—it’s a statement. It highlights the untapped literary potential in Pakistan. Through OBR, we are proud to provide a global platform for our students to shine.

🌍 Building a Literate, Creative Pakistan

OUP Pakistan continues to play a vital role in fostering reading culture in classrooms and beyond. The success of Pakistani students in such a prestigious international competition is a testament to the strength of the country’s educational institutions, teachers’ commitment, and the creativity of its youth. This victory not only celebrates individual brilliance but also serves as a source of national pride—encouraging future generations to explore the world of books and unlock their own creative potential.

Pakistan has spoken through its students, and the world is listening.
The pen, once again, proves to be mightier.