ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday emphasized the importance of literacy for people’s empowerment and increased economic opportunities during International Literacy Day, observed on September 8.
According to WorldMetrics, Pakistan’s literacy rate stands at 59 percent, while the country grapples with the challenge of 23 million out-of-school children.
The government’s spending on education remains low, at just 2.8 percent of GDP, contributing to poor infrastructure, limited access to quality education and a shortage of trained teachers, particularly in rural areas.
“Literacy is a fundamental human and constitutional right,” the prime minister was quoted as saying in a statement circulated by his office. “Education and literacy are the guarantees of our country’s future.”
“Literacy is not merely the ability to read and write,” he continued. “It is a gateway to empowerment, economic opportunities and active participation in society.”
The prime minister reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to advancing the education agenda for a more informed nation.
“Education is the backbone of our society,” he maintained. “To this end, we have declared an educational emergency across the country, launched an enrollment campaign for students and introduced midday meals in schools.”
“We have also introduced scholarships and other incentives to reduce the dropout rate and encourage every child to complete their education,” he added.
Sharif said the government was doing everything to integrate technology into the education system, ensuring that Pakistani youth was equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in the digital economy.
He noted that the private sector and civil society organizations were equal partners in the government’s efforts to spread education in Pakistan.
“By establishing effective partnerships, we can link education with employment and self-employment opportunities, creating a stronger and more inclusive workforce,” he added.
Pakistan PM declares ‘education emergency’ on International Literacy Day
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Pakistan PM declares ‘education emergency’ on International Literacy Day
- Shehbaz Sharif calls literacy fundamental human right and essential for creating greater economic opportunities
- PM stresses the importance of integrating technology into the education system to benefit from digital economy
ADB, Pakistan sign over $300 million agreements to undertake climate resilience initiatives
- Pakistan ranks among nations most vulnerable to climate change and has seen erratic changes in weather patterns
- The projects in Sindh and Punjab will restore nature-based coastal defenses and enhance agricultural productivity
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed more than $300 million agreements to undertake two major climate resilience initiatives, Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID) said on Tuesday.
The projects include the Sindh Coastal Resilience Sector Project (SCRP), valued at Rs50.5 billion ($180.5 million), and the Punjab Climate-Resilient and Low-Carbon Agriculture Mechanization Project (PCRLCAMP), totaling Rs34.7 billion ($124 million).
Pakistan ranks among nations most vulnerable to climate change and has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns. In 2022, monsoon floods killed over 1,700 people, displaced another 33 million and caused over $30 billion losses, while another 1,037 people were killed in floods this year.
The South Asian country is ramping up climate resilience efforts, with support from the ADB and World Bank, and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, particularly in vulnerable areas.
“Both sides expressed their commitment to effectively utilize the financing for successful and timely completion of the two initiatives,” the PID said in a statement.
The Sindh Coastal Resilience Project (SCRP) will promote integrated water resources and flood risk management, restore nature-based coastal defenses, and strengthen institutional and community capacity for strategic action planning, directly benefiting over 3.8 million people in Thatta, Sujawal, and Badin districts, according to ADB.
The Punjab project will enhance agricultural productivity and climate resilience across 30 districts, improving small farmers’ access to climate-smart machinery, introducing circular agriculture practices to reduce residue burning, establishing testing and training facilities, and empowering 15,000 women through skills development and livelihood diversification.
Earlier this month, the ADB also approved $381 million in financing for Pakistan’s Punjab province to modernize agriculture and strengthen education and health services, including concessional loans and grants for farm mechanization, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, and nursing sector reforms.
