PICO holds 3rd convocation, awards degrees, gold medals to graduates

Pakistan Institute of Community Ophthalmology (PICO) on Thursday held its third convocation ceremony at the auditorium of Khyber Girls Medical College, where degrees, gold medals and awards were distributed among graduating students

PESHAWAR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st May, 2026) Pakistan Institute of Community Ophthalmology (PICO) on Thursday held its third convocation ceremony at the auditorium of Khyber Girls Medical College, where degrees, gold medals and awards were distributed among graduating students.

According to a spokesperson, Provincial Health Minister and Pro-Chancellor of Khyber Medical University, Khaliq Ur Rehman, attended the ceremony as chief guest.

The event was attended by PICO founder Professor Muhammad Daud Khan, KMU Registrar Inamullah Khan Wazir, Dean KGMC Professor Dr. Shehzad Akbar Khan, Director HMC Dr. Gulzar Ahmad Khan, Medical Director Dr. Khalid Khan, senior faculty members, graduates and parents.

Degrees were awarded to graduates of MPhil Vision Sciences, MPH Community Eye Health, Doctor of Optometry, OD Bridging and BS Optometry programmes, while outstanding students received gold medals for academic excellence.

Students awarded gold medals included Shaukat Khan, Haseeb Javed, Um-e-Farwah, Bushra Hakim, Komal Yaseen, Zeeshan Ahmad Noor, Areeba Siddiqui, Manahil Saleem Gandapur, Aalia Zeb, Mazhar Ali Shah, Asif Ali, Zainab Haleem, Asadullah, Hibdar Ali, Mujeebur Rehman and Aftab Ahmad.

Achievement awards were also presented to Dr. Shad Muhammad, Dr. Aman Safi, Dr. Zahid Jadoon and Dr. Nasir Saeed for their contributions in the field.

Addressing the ceremony, Health Minister Khaliq Ur Rehman congratulated the graduates and said the convocation marked not only the completion of academic studies but also the beginning of a new professional journey.

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He urged students to uphold the true spirit of their professional oath and utilize their education and skills for the service of humanity. He also announced allocation of funds in the next Annual Development Programme for construction of a hostel for female students.

The minister said that free eye screening of schoolchildren across the province would also be conducted voluntarily in collaboration with PICO.

Speaking on the occasion, PICO Director Dr. Sanaullah Khan said that the institute had produced a large number of graduates in the fields of community eye health, vision sciences, doctor of optometry, BS vision sciences, ophthalmic technician and ophthalmic nursing, besides providing training to specialists from within the country and abroad.

He said that PICO had rendered significant services in prevention of blindness, cataract surgeries, provision of free medicines and eyeglasses, elimination of trachoma, restoration of the Murad Eye Bank and corneal transplant procedures.

Dr. Sanaullah Khan said that PICO was further strengthening its role in the field of eye healthcare through quality education, research, training and public service across the province and the country.