Islamabad (Web Desk): International Literacy Day is being observed today (Monday) across the globe including Pakistan with a focus on the necessity for expanded literacy and educational opportunities.
This year, the theme of the day is “Promoting literacy in the digital era.”
President Asif Ali Zardari, in his message on the occasion, urged a collective resolve of society including families, communities, civil society, media and the private sector to ensure the universality, inclusivity and accessibility of education.
He said, “On this International Literacy Day, I call upon all Pakistanis to reaffirm their commitment to this noble cause. Let us envision a Pakistan where literacy is universal, education is inclusive, and knowledge is accessible to all. Together, we can build a society that upholds human dignity, empowers women, and harnesses the full potential of our citizens for peace, prosperity, and progress.”
The president added that the government was committed to advancing universal literacy through stronger public policies, investment in quality education, digital innovations, and community engagement.
“These initiatives reflect the government’s firm resolve to enhance literacy by making education inclusive, accessible, and adaptable to the diverse needs of our people. By strengthening non-formal education alongside the formal system, Pakistan is ensuring that every child, youth, and adult has the opportunity to learn, regardless of age, gender, or socio-economic background,” President Zardari said.
Extending greetings to the people of Pakistan and the global community working for accessible education, he remarked that literacy was not just the ability to read and write but also an enhancement of cognitive development, a source of dignity, and a basic human right. He noted that “literacy also empowers individuals with confidence, giving them a voice in society, and opening the door to opportunities that would otherwise remain out of reach. It is also the foundation of personal growth and social progress, enabling citizens to actively participate in economic, cultural, and democratic life.”
Calling it a cornerstone of nation-building, the president said that literacy was crucial in reducing poverty, fostering innovation, strengthening democracy, and ensuring sustainable development.
“A literate nation is a strong nation—one that can address its challenges with wisdom, resilience, and creativity.” Stressing the importance of women’s education, he said, he said, adding that “We must pay special attention to empowering women and girls through education. An educated woman uplifts not only herself but also her family and community, becoming an agent of change and progress. By ensuring literacy and education for women, we invest in healthier families, stronger economies, and a more equitable society. No nation can achieve its true potential if half of its population is left behind.”
He further underlined that the combined efforts of families, communities, civil society, media, and the private sector were vital, saying that “every individual has a role to play in nurturing a culture of lifelong learning and in ensuring that education becomes the shared wealth of the entire nation.”
In his message on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the federal and provincial governments were working in unison to promote education and raise literacy levels.
“The main objective of the national literacy campaign is that every child should not only receive basic education but also be familiar with higher education, skills and technical knowledge as this is the only way to prepare generations of the nation for the requirements of the modern era,” he said.
“Today, on International Literacy Day, Pakistan considers it its duty to stand in solidarity with the world and highlight the importance of knowledge and education in the economic and social life of nations and its fundamental role in development and prosperity, ” the premier said, asserting that education is not just the ability to read and write or familiarity with the alphabet, but it is a journey towards a bright future by strengthening the foundations of any nation at the individual and collective levels.
The prime minister remarked, “This journey of education, training, literacy and knowledge is a continuous effort to improve the generations of any nation. Therefore, it should be the main priority of the government for the overall and meaningful development of any country.”
Highlighting the challenges, he said, “The literacy rate in Pakistan is 60 percent, which is not only lower than the modern requirements of the world but also lower than other countries in South Asia.” He termed the situation concerning, adding, “This worrying situation reminds us that we as a nation need to take all possible steps to make education a priority. So that we can pave the way for the collective development of our children, youth and society.”
He noted that “the importance of education is one of the basic teachings of Islam and its significance was also highlighted by the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.” Stressing collective responsibility, he said, “No government can achieve this national goal without the support of the people, for which teachers, parents, and every citizen at the social level will have to play their duty and key role.”
“Let us together today reaffirm our resolve that as a nation, we will illuminate the darkness of illiteracy with the light of knowledge and lay the foundation for a strong, talented, and developed Pakistan,” PM Shehbaz concluded.
Proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1966, World Literacy Day has been observed every year on September 8 since 1967 to highlight the essential role of literacy in promoting justice, peace, and sustainable development.
Despite progress, UNESCO's reports in 2024 revealed that more than 739 million young people and adults worldwide still lack basic reading and writing abilities.
In Pakistan, official data indicates that the literacy rate is 60 percent, while the country continues to struggle with an alarming figure of 26 million children who remain out of school, ranking among the highest numbers globally of children deprived of education.