PM Shehbaz
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has raised alarm over the education crisis in Pakistan, revealing that a staggering 22.8 million children between the ages of five and 16 years are out of school, with a disproportionately high number of girls affected.
Speaking at the International Conference on Girls’ Education in Islamabad on Saturday, the prime minister stressed the urgent need for action to address this educational disparity.
The conference, which brought together ministers and education authorities from various Muslim-majority countries, is focused on tackling the challenges and opportunities in promoting girls’ education in these regions.
In his address, PM Shehbaz expressed optimism that the conference would foster international collaboration and help pave the way for improved educational access for girls in Muslim communities.
Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the pivotal role of education for girls, citing Islamic teachings and the instructions of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), which emphasize the importance of female education.
He added that the Pakistani government was committed to addressing the challenges faced by girls in accessing education. A committee had been formed to implement reforms in the education sector, which is also working closely with provincial governments to improve educational outcomes.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also spoke at the event, noting that the government had introduced several reforms in the education sector aimed at ensuring better alignment with available funding and budget allocation.
He emphasized the government’s intention to work closely with Muslim countries in the future to further educational development for girls.
The conference, which hosted around 150 delegates from 47 countries, is seeking to find actionable solutions to the barriers that hinder education for girls in Muslim-majority countries.
PM Shehbaz stressed the importance of girls’ education, stating that the girls of today have the potential to lift not only their families and communities out of poverty but also to contribute to the global economy.
He further remarked that it is essential to invest in girls’ education and create a future where cultural barriers no longer prevent girls from achieving their ambitions. Pakistan, he said, was striving to ensure that girls’ rights are respected and that they have the opportunity to fulfill their potential.
Despite the rich cultural and historical legacy of the Muslim world, PM Shehbaz pointed out that significant challenges remain in ensuring equitable access to education for girls. In Pakistan, for example, women make up more than half of the population, yet the female literacy rate is only 49%.
As part of efforts to combat educational disparities, the Pakistani government has established Daanish schools, a unique initiative aimed at providing quality education to children in rural and underdeveloped areas. This initiative is being expanded to other regions, ensuring that more children, particularly girls, can access quality education.
The government’s commitment to improving education is further reflected in its flagship youth program, which provides scholarships, vocational training, and other opportunities to ensure that young people, especially girls, are equipped with the skills needed for the future.
Notably, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai attended the summit and expressed her joy at returning to Pakistan. She highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by the Muslim world, including Pakistan, in providing girls with equitable access to education. Although the Afghan government was invited to participate in the conference, no representatives attended.
In his closing remarks, PM Shehbaz reiterated that investing in girls’ education is not just a moral imperative but a strategic one, stressing that empowering girls through education will benefit not only individual lives but entire nations and the global economy.
