Literacy rate in the country has decreased from 60 percent to 58 percent which is a big hurdle in the country's development, said Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood. "Prevailing disparity in various educational systems is causing inequalities and dividing mind which Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government will discourage," he said while addressing a conference on "Claiming Pakistaniyat" jointly organized by International Islamic University Islamabad (IIU) and Centre for Global and Strategic Studies (CGSS).
With the rapid increase in population and decline in literacy rate is illustrating that education facilities are not enough to meet the requirement and there is dire need of taking steps on war footing to meet the challenge, he added.
Describing illiteracy as a bigger challenge prevailing in the country, Mehmood said the government was working to bring a well devised educational plan to deal with the issue of illiteracy on war footings and a uniformed educational curriculum will be introduced.
He said the government was working to end disparity in the educational systems of country, adding illiteracy figures in the country were disappointing, while situation further deteriorated as the counting came at 58 percent from 60 percent.
Talking about the challenges of nation, the Minister said that in previous decades, country faced challenges of terrorism and injustice which remained as leading hinders in the progress. "Pakistan is coming back on track after dealing with internal subversions and offering numerous sacrifices for the peace of land and region," he maintained.
Mehmood furthered that "Pakistaniat is the name of sharing happiness and grieves unconditionally." Talking about Pakistan's effort for peace, he said Pakistan wanted peace in Afghanistan.
He also condemned brutalities of Indian Forces in Occupied Kashmir and said that India was violating human rights and sabotaging the peace process in the region.
Addressing the event, Chairman Centre for Global and Strategic Studies Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam (R) thanked the minister for joining the event and appreciated IIU for a constructive collaboration with the centre. He vowed to keep arranging such activities to promote Pakitaniyat and patriotism in the country.
Dr Masom Yasinzai, IIUI rector said 56 percent youth was a precious asset of country who must be introduced to entrepreneurship and advancements in the new technology. "Do not get exploited, negative elements are selling the negative narrative, you need to save your energies and remain committed to your land and religion," he added.
He said that Paigham-e-Pakistan narrative of IIU had now reached UN and the world had appreciated that peace narrative of the nation. He also stressed upon equal opportunities to women saying that they had imperative role country development.
He added that universities would have to come forward to make youth focused on constructive points. Dr Al-Draiweesh maintained that literacy and progress of nation are hand to mingle and both must be top priorities to avoid future problems. He opined that youth had power of changing the fate of nation. IIUI President called for Muslim unison and to devise well devised policy to deal with contemporary challenges.
Speakers also addressed on the topics including rising nationalism in Pakistan as a tool of public administration, economic situation in Pakistan, the crisis of nation building in Pakistan , two nation theory and protecting human rights.