Pakistan marks 60th International Literacy Day with focus on

Key Takeaways

• ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Sep, 2026) Pakistan on Tuesday marked the 60th anniversary of International Literacy Day (ILD)
• The event was organized by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in partnership with the United Nations Children’s
• The commemoration was held under the theme “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity,” providing a platform for stakeholders to review six decad
• Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Dr
• Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui attended the event as Chief Guest, while Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Sep, 2026) Pakistan on Tuesday marked the 60th anniversary of International Literacy Day (ILD), with the government and international partners reaffirming their commitment to expanding literacy, adult education and lifelong learning opportunities across the country.

The event was organized by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), under the auspices of the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), Islamabad.

The commemoration was held under the theme “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity,” providing a platform for stakeholders to review six decades of progress in literacy and discuss persistent challenges and priorities for strengthening literacy and non-formal education in Pakistan.

Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui attended the event as Chief Guest, while Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal also participated as co-Chief Guest.

The event brought together representatives of the federal and provincial governments, United Nations agencies, development partners, academia and education institutions to deliberate on the role of literacy in promoting inclusive and sustainable development.

Speaking at the event, the federal education minister highlighted the government’s priorities and ongoing reforms in the non-formal education sector, emphasizing the need to expand access to literacy and lifelong learning, particularly for adults and underserved communities.

Prof. Ahsan Iqbal shared the government’s perspective on literacy as an essential component of human development and linked improvements in education and skills with Pakistan’s broader development priorities.

Provincial ministers also highlighted initiatives being undertaken by their respective governments to improve literacy rates and strengthen non-formal education. The provincial representatives participated virtually in the session.

UNESCO Representative in Pakistan and Head of Office Fuad Pashayev, United Nations Resident Coordinator a.i. and UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Pernille Ironside, JICA Pakistan Office Chief Representative Yusuke Shinozaki, and NCHD Director General Ali Asghar also addressed the gathering.

The speakers underscored the importance of coordinated efforts among government institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to address literacy gaps and create sustainable learning opportunities for people of all ages.

The commemoration also featured key highlights of ongoing education reforms and national priorities, with particular emphasis on adult literacy, non-formal education and lifelong learning.

The International Literacy Day event at AIOU marked six decades of global efforts to promote literacy and served as an opportunity for Pakistan to reaffirm its commitment to ensuring that literacy and learning opportunities reach all segments of society.

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