Zardari, Shehbaz Stress Education, Skills and Youth Inclusion as Pillars of Pakistan’s Future
Pakistan joined the global community on Saturday in observing the International Day of Education, reaffirming the central role of education in promoting peace, sustainable development, and social progress.
Across the country, educational institutions and organizations organized a range of activities and events to highlight the importance of education as a foundation for national development and global harmony.
In separate messages marking the occasion, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that providing the best possible opportunities for youth in education, capacity building, and skill development remains a top priority of the government. Both leaders described Pakistan’s talented youth as one of the country’s most valuable national assets.
They called on all stakeholders to reaffirm education as a national priority and to empower young people as active partners in building a skilled, enlightened, and resilient Pakistan.
President Zardari said that the ideas and energy of young people strengthen educational systems and democratic societies, stressing that the constitutional guarantee of free and compulsory education under Article 25-A reflects Pakistan’s shared commitment to education as a fundamental right.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the government’s focus on strengthening higher education and skills development through a range of national initiatives. He noted that key programs include expanded scholarships for higher education, merit-based financial assistance, and the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme, aimed at making the education system more effective and inclusive.
He further said that under the Prime Minister’s Youth Skills Development Program, customized training initiatives are being implemented nationwide through the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) to equip young people with market-relevant skills.
The prime minister also pointed to national-level skill initiatives designed to integrate youth from religious seminaries into the mainstream system, enabling them to contribute positively to society through decent employment and business opportunities.
Highlighting gender inclusion, he said specialized programs for women are promoting skills development at technical, digital, and domestic levels to strengthen women’s economic inclusion and financial self-reliance.
The observance of the International Day of Education in Pakistan underscored a renewed national commitment to building human capital through education, skills, and inclusive development policies.
