President Zardari, PM Shehbaz pledge quality education for youth

International Day of Education was observed on Saturday to create awareness about the role of education for peace and development.

Educational institutions and organizations organized different events to highlight the importance of the day.

In their separate messages on the occasion of the International Day of Education, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said provision of best opportunities to youth for education, capacity building and skill development is government's top priority. They termed Pakistan's talented youth as a valuable asset to country.

They urged all stakeholders to reaffirm education as a national priority and to empower youth as partners in building a skilled, enlightened and resilient Pakistan.

President Zardari said the ideas of young people strengthen educational systems and democratic societies.

He said the constitutional guarantee of free and compulsory education under Article 25-A reflects our shared commitment to this fundamental right.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message, said the government is giving special attention to the promotion of higher education and skills through various programs to make the education system effective and to empower the youth.

He said these programs include expanded scholarships for higher education, merit-based financial assistance, and the Prime Minister's Laptop Scheme.

Shehbaz Sharif said, under the Prime Minister's Youth Skills Development Program, several effective and customized training initiatives are being implemented across the country through the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission.

Shehbaz Sharif said national level skill initiatives are also being implemented to bring youth from religious seminaries into the national system so that they can play a positive role in society by benefiting from decent employment and business opportunities.

The Prime Minister said, through the specialized programs for women, skills are being promoted at technical, digital, and domestic levels to strengthen women's economic inclusion and financial self-reliance.