Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised the importance of girls’ education, calling it “a cause worth fighting for, investing in and advocating passionately.” He made these remarks while inaugurating the two-day International Conference on Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities in Islamabad. The event brought together 150 delegates from 47 countries, including Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai, who attended as a special guest.

The prime minister highlighted the challenges faced by the Muslim world, including Pakistan, in providing equitable access to education for girls. He said, “We owe it to our mothers, sisters, and daughters to ensure that their rights are respected, their ambitions are fulfilled and that no cultural inhibitions stand in the way of achieving their dreams.” With over 26 million children out of school in Pakistan, a large portion of them being girls, he noted that the female literacy rate is only 49%.

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PM Shehbaz spoke about the government’s steps to address these issues. He highlighted the Daanish Schools initiative, which aims to provide quality education to underprivileged children in rural areas. He announced plans to expand this initiative to more remote areas. Additionally, through the government’s youth program, efforts are being made to offer scholarships, vocational training and job opportunities.

He reiterated the importance of education in Islam, saying, “The pursuit of knowledge is a sacred duty for every Muslim regardless of gender, as emphasised by Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).” The conference concluded with the signing of the International Partnership Agreement, demonstrating a collective commitment to advancing girls’ education. PM Shehbaz also announced that the Islamabad Declaration from the conference will be presented to the UN and its Security Council as the collective aspiration of the Ummah.