Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed on Saturday the urgent need to address the challenges of girls’ education in Muslim societies.
Speaking at the inauguration of a two-day international conference titled ‘Girls’ Education in Muslim Societies: Challenges and Opportunities’ in Islamabad, the premier highlighted education as the cornerstone for societal progress.
The event, attended by ministers from 47 countries and representatives from various institutions, will conclude with the signing of the ‘Islamabad Declaration.'.
PM Shehbaz noted that Islam places a strong emphasis on the pursuit of knowledge for all sections of society, including women, and underscored the critical role of education in national development.
"Hosting this international conference is an honor for Pakistan," he said.
Premier also expressed pride in the participation of Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, describing her as a "symbol of courage and determination."
He further paid tribute to other notable Pakistani women, including former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, the first female head of government in the Islamic world, and Arfa Karim, who achieved international recognition in the field of information technology.
Shehbaz Sharif called for accelerating efforts to overcome the barriers to girls’ education, particularly in economically disadvantaged nations.
He highlighted government initiatives such as the distribution of modern laptops to high-performing female students, which he said would empower them to play an active role in the global economy.
Also Read: Malala 'overwhelmed, happy' at returning to Pakistan
In his address, PM Shehbaz also reflected on historical contributions of women in Islamic history, including Hazrat Khadija (RA), and emphasized the importance of women's active participation alongside men in the development of society.
The conference, organised to explore solutions to the challenges of girls’ education in Muslim societies, drew praise for its inclusive agenda.
Participants lauded the premier's address, which included Arabic phrases that resonated with the audience.
'Happy to be back in Pakistan': Malala
Earlier, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai returned to Pakistan after more than two years to attend a two-day international summit on girls' education in Islamabad.
“I’m truly honoured, overwhelmed, and happy to be back in Pakistan,” Malala said as she arrived in Islamabad. This marks her third visit to the country since surviving a deadly attack by TTP militants in 2012.
Malala is scheduled to address the summit on Sunday.
