Promotion of Modern Education is the Prime Minister’s Top Priority: Parliamentary Secretary Farah Naz Akbar
Parliamentary Secretary for the Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training, Farah Naz Akbar, reiterated that the promotion of modern education is the top priority of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government. While addressing an event organized by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in celebration of World Education Day 2025, Farah Akbar highlighted the government’s commitment to securing a bright future for the youth and enhancing the country’s economic well-being through a comprehensive education system.
She emphasized the importance of equipping students with modern technological tools such as IT and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to safeguard human agency in the world of AI education and automation.
She further elaborated that these tools are essential for preparing Pakistan’s youth for leadership roles both within the country and globally in the future.
In her speech, she shared that under the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Ministry of Education has launched several reforms to improve the quality of education. She highlighted the significant progress in public schools, where 342 public sector schools in Islamabad now have modern facilities, ensuring equal access to education for both urban and rural students. There is no distinction between urban and rural schools in Islamabad; all are equipped with the same high-quality facilities.
She mentioned the government’s efforts to provide equal educational opportunities for all students and praised the ICCI’s efforts in organizing the event. Farah Akbar also emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships to achieve educational milestones and build a better future for Pakistan’s youth.
Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Professional Training, Mohiuddin Ahmad Wani, presented a comprehensive briefing on the Ministry’s successes. He shared various initiatives launched by the government, including the PM School Free Meals Program, wash stations, eye examination facilities, and mother and child health centers. He also highlighted IT and digital training institutions, AI robotics labs, smart classrooms, mind sports rooms, and the PM Free Pink Bus initiative, all aimed at modernizing education and promoting comprehensive development for students.
Pro-Rector for Research, Innovation, and Commercialization at NUST, Dr. Rizwan Riaz, urged Pakistan’s youth to adopt a positive outlook to capitalize on the country’s natural resources and technological potential. He emphasized that by working with the country’s talented youth, not only can current challenges be overcome, but new pathways for national development can also be opened.
Chairman of Nobel STEM Schools, Major General (R) Najm ul Hasan, shed light on the alarming statistics of illiteracy in the country. He pointed out that six crore people are illiterate and 20 million children aged 5 to 15 are out of school. He stressed the immediate need to equip the next generation with essential skills for success in the world of technology.
President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Nasir Mansoor Qureshi, emphasized the crucial role of collaboration between industry and educational institutions. He stated that bridging the gap between industry, trade, and educational institutions is necessary to ensure the promotion of industry and trade through practical, applicable research.
ICCI Vice President Nasir Mahmood Chaudhry also praised the Ministry of Education’s initiatives and drew attention to several educational institutions that require immediate attention. He encouraged the Ministry to continue prioritizing improvements in education infrastructure and quality.
Earlier, during the event, Adnan Mukhtar, Convenor of the HEC Standing Committee, welcomed the guests and commended ICCI for its commitment under the leadership of President Nasir Mansoor Qureshi to strengthening industry-education links and promoting educational development. Senior Vice President Abdul Rahman Siddiqui, Executive Members Fatima Azeem, Shamaila Siddiqui, Irfan Chaudhry, Waseem Chaudhry, Malik Mohsin Khalid, Zulqarnain Abbasi, and ICCI President’s Advisor Naeem Siddiqui were also present at the event.
Content writer, educationist, teacher, researcher, social media manager, and a SEO manager from lahore. She has been working as a freelance academic and non-academic writer for more than 20 years now. She has a passion to learn new things and has a knack for writing and she combines both things to produce write ups she pours her heart out in.