Girls’ Education a Major Challenge: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
He expressed satisfaction at the presence of graduates from these schools during the event.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif stated that girls’ education is a major challenge requiring significant efforts from Muslim countries.
Women possess the potential to play an effective role in national and global economies through their capabilities.
Sustainable educational opportunities for girls require collective efforts, as providing quality education to girls strengthens and advances society.
Philanthropists and businesses should support the government in identifying scalable and sustainable opportunities to ensure girls’ education.
He expressed these views during the inaugural session of the two-day international conference on “Girls’ Education in Muslim Societies: Challenges and Opportunities,” held on Saturday.
On this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Muslim World League to establish a strategic partnership for girls’ education.
The OIC Secretary-General Dr. Hussain Ibrahim Taha and the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League Dr. Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa signed the MoU.
The conference saw participation from over 150 distinguished personalities, including ministers, ambassadors, education experts, and scholars from 47 Muslim and friendly countries.
Empowering Women, A Need of the Hour
Addressing the conference, Pakistan Army’s first female Lieutenant General (Retired) Nigar Johar emphasized ensuring the inclusion of girls in policy-making and decision-making processes.
Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa highlighted that girls should have equal and fearless access to education, while OIC Secretary-General Dr. Hussain Ibrahim Taha expressed concern over the deprivation of education for women due to national challenges and domestic pressures.
Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui stressed the need to consider education as an integral part of our heritage.
Pakistan’s Commitment to Girls’ Education
Welcoming the participants, the Prime Minister called the hosting of the conference a great honor for Pakistan.
He noted that women have the potential to lift themselves, their families, and their nations out of poverty while also contributing to the global economy and finding innovative solutions to common challenges.
The Prime Minister highlighted Pakistan’s significant steps to address educational disparities, including the establishment of Danish Schools, which provide quality education to underprivileged children in rural and underdeveloped areas.
He expressed satisfaction at the presence of graduates from these schools during the event.
The Prime Minister also reiterated the government’s commitment to quality education and job creation through flagship youth programs, which include training in artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, and the provision of laptops and scholarships to high achievers.
Knowledge: A Sacred Duty for All
The Prime Minister emphasized that acquiring knowledge is a sacred duty for every Muslim, regardless of gender, as emphasized by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
He remarked that history bears witness to the courage and determination of women who have excelled in their respective fields, broken the shackles of societal constraints, and left a lasting impact on society from the early days of Islamic history.