Watchdog: Millions of Pakistani girls deprived of education

In 2017, Pakistan spent less than 2.8 percent of its GDP on education — far below the recommended standards of 4 to 6 percent. (AFP/File)
Updated 13 November 2018
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Watchdog: Millions of Pakistani girls deprived of education

  • Human Rights Watch says they are deprived of an education for multiple reasons, including a shortage of government schools
  • The watchdog says the country has nearly 22.5 million children that are out of school. The majority of them are girls

ISLAMABAD: An international rights group says millions of girls in Pakistan are still out of school, mostly because the government spends less money on education.
Human Rights Watch says they are deprived of an education for multiple reasons, including a shortage of government schools.
The New York-based watchdog says the country — which has a population of about 207 million, including an estimated 80 million school-age children — has nearly 22.5 million children that are out of school. The majority of them are girls.
The 111-page report was released on Tuesday. It is entitled “Shall I Feed My Daughter, or Educate Her?: Barriers to Girls’ Education in Pakistan.”
In 2017, Pakistan spent less than 2.8 percent of its GDP on education — far below the recommended standards of 4 to 6 percent.


Pakistan stock market sees 41% rise in investors in 18 months

Updated 09 January 2026
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Pakistan stock market sees 41% rise in investors in 18 months

  • Pakistan’s stock market has gained momentum at start of year on broad-based institutional buying
  • The rise in the stock market reflects global investors’ confidence in the country, state media says

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange has witnessed a 41% increase in the number of investors over the past 18 months, Pakistani state broadcaster reported on Friday.

Pakistani stock market has gained momentum in recent months as broad-based institutional buying across key sectors has reinforced investor confidence even as the country continues to navigate economic reforms under international lending programs.

Around 135,000 new investors have joined the PSX over the last 18 months, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.

“Pakistan’s stock market has emerged as the second-best performing market globally,” the report said. “The rise in the stock market reflects global investors’ confidence in Pakistan’s improved investment environment.”

The development came as the PSX shed a little more than 1,000 points as it closed the weekend session at 184,519 points.

The report said coordinated efforts by Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) have helped stabilize the country’s economy and investment market, elevating it to prominence at the global level.

“Pakistan’s macroeconomic environment has become an attractive and reliable destination for investment,” it quoted Finance Adviser Khurram Schehzad as saying.

On Wednesday, Pakistani stocks climbed to a fresh all-time high with the benchmark KSE-100 Index crossing the 186,000-point mark for the first time as potential foreign inflows upheld the positive sentiment.