ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sep 7 extended greetings to the nation on International Literacy Day, acknowledging the contributions of teachers, students, parents, educationists and community workers to promoting education across the country.
In his message marking the occasion on Sept 8, the president highlighted the significance of this year’s observance, which marks the 60th anniversary of International Literacy Day.
Reflecting on this year’s global theme, “Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity,” the president stressed that literacy goes beyond reading and writing, equipping people with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions and participate meaningfully in society.
He described the pursuit of universal literacy in Pakistan as both a development imperative and a moral responsibility, noting that a significant number of children remain out of school while many others lack access to quality learning environments.
Literacy, the message stressed, should be viewed not merely as a statistic but as a reflection of the country’s future, with every out-of-school child representing unrealised potential.
Separately, the prime minister said literacy played a pivotal role in determining the quality of life of individuals and nations and in paving the way for progress and prosperity in all spheres of life.
He emphasised that promoting literacy and fostering cooperation in education and learning must remain an individual, national and global priority to advance humanity’s shared interests and strengthen values such as peaceful coexistence.
In his message, the premier said Pakistan joined the international community in paying tribute to the spirit of learning and teaching, and to the quest for knowledge.
He noted that literacy was not merely about counting those who could read and write, but a means of transforming the country’s ideological, religious, social, economic and national foundations to build a brighter future.
The journey towards realizing the true benefits of education, learning and literacy is, in essence, an endeavour to shape and empower the future generations, he stressed.
News Published in the Express Tribune on Sep 8th, 2026.
