Farah Naz Akbar, the Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, reiterated that education remains the foremost priority of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government during her speech at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) event commemorating the International Day of Education 2025. Akbar emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring a brighter future for the youth of Pakistan by investing in educational reforms that align with the country’s economic goals.
Addressing the gathering, which was centered around the theme “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation,” Akbar stressed the importance of equipping Pakistan’s youth with cutting-edge technological tools, particularly IT and Artificial Intelligence (AI). She underscored that in a rapidly changing global landscape, these tools are essential for preparing the country’s students to take on leadership roles in a world where automation and technology play a dominant role. Akbar stated that fostering a technologically skilled youth would not only benefit Pakistan but would also enable its young generation to compete globally.
Akbar also highlighted the government’s educational reforms, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, that aim to enhance educational standards across the country. She provided updates on the significant progress made in Islamabad’s public schools, with 342 public sector schools receiving modern facilities to ensure quality education. The government’s focus, she noted, is to eliminate the gap between urban and rural education, stating,
“There is no distinction between urban and rural schools in Islamabad. All are being equipped with the same high-quality facilities.”
In her speech, Akbar also commended the ICCI’s efforts in organizing the event and emphasized the critical importance of public-private partnerships in achieving educational milestones. She stressed that such collaborations are vital in building a brighter and more prosperous future for Pakistan’s youth, aligning with the government’s long-term educational vision.
The event also featured Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani, the Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Professional Training, who provided a comprehensive presentation on the government’s educational initiatives. Wani highlighted a variety of programs launched by the government, such as the PM School Free Meal Programme, Wash Stations, Eye Screening Facilities, and Mother and Children Health Centres, which aim to address the broader aspects of student welfare. He also shared the government’s strides in developing IT and digital training institutions, AI Robotics Labs, smart classrooms, mind sports rooms, and the PM’s Free Pink Bus Initiative. These initiatives, Wani noted, are crucial for modernizing Pakistan’s education system and promoting holistic student development in the digital age.
Dr. Rizwan Riaz, Pro-Rector for Research, Innovation, and Commercialization at NUST, further emphasized the need for a positive outlook among Pakistan’s youth. He encouraged students to harness the nation’s natural resources and the potential of technology, urging them to combine hard work with the country’s youthful energy to drive progress and overcome challenges. Dr. Riaz’s comments resonated with the event’s overarching theme of empowering youth through technological education and innovation.
Major General Najmul Hassan (Retd.), Chairman of Nobel STEM Schools, drew attention to Pakistan’s concerning illiteracy statistics, sharing that six crore people are illiterate and 2 crore children between the ages of 5 to 15 are out of school. He called for immediate action to equip the next generation with the skills necessary to succeed in an increasingly technology-driven world. His comments underscored the urgency of prioritizing education in order to address the country’s illiteracy crisis and prepare youth for future challenges.
Nasir Mansoor Qureshi, President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, echoed the importance of collaboration between academia and industry. He highlighted the importance of creating strong industry-academia linkages to foster an environment where education and business can mutually benefit. Qureshi, along with his team, including Senior Vice President Abdul Rehman Siddiqui, Vice President Nasir Mehmood Chaudhry, and the ICCI executive board members, have been instrumental in creating an ecosystem that supports both educational and business growth in Pakistan. Qureshi stated,
“It is imperative to bridge the gap between industry, trade, and academia to ensure the promotion of industry and trade through practical, applicable research.”
Nasir Mehmood Chaudhry, Vice President of ICCI, while commending the Ministry of Education’s initiatives, drew attention to several educational institutions that still require immediate attention. He urged the Ministry to continue prioritizing infrastructure development and quality improvements across the education sector, especially in rural and underdeveloped areas. Chaudhry’s remarks emphasized the need for continued investment in educational infrastructure to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have access to quality education.
The event also saw a warm welcome from Adnan Mukhtar, Convener of the HEC Standing Committee, who praised ICCI’s leadership under President Nasir Mansoor Qureshi for its dedication to strengthening industry-academia linkages and advancing educational reform in Pakistan. Mukhtar highlighted the importance of such collaborations in achieving national educational goals and driving the country’s progress in the global arena.
