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Constitutional commitment to provide education to children demands urgent state action: IPS

Islamabad: Pakistan’s estimated 21.1 million out-of-school children underscore the urgent need to treat education as a national priority and fulfill the state’s constitutional responsibility to ensure access to schooling for all children. The challenge requires sustained policy attention to bring children into the education system and ensure that the constitutional commitment is translated into effective implementation.

This was highlighted at a discussion organized at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad, to mark World Literacy Day on September 8. The session, part of IPS’s focus on education and human development, expressed particular concern about the growing number of out-of-school children and the state’s responsibility to ensure their access to education.

According to credible statistical sources, Pakistan has approximately 21.1 million out-of-school children, a staggering figure that should be a cause for serious concern. This estimate is derived from data from the Household Integrated Economic Survey and projected population figures from the National Institution for Population Studies. The scale of the challenge highlights a significant gap between the country’s constitutional commitments and the educational realities faced by millions of children.

The discussion was grounded in Article 25-A of the Constitution of Pakistan, which makes free and compulsory education for children aged five to sixteen a state responsibility. The constitutional provision establishes education not merely as a developmental objective but as a responsibility the state is required to fulfill through effective institutional and policy measures. It also frequently referred to the divine command to acquire knowledge and enhance it through keen observation and objective reasoning.

The participants also underscored Pakistan’s international commitment to education through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4, which calls for quality education and lifelong learning opportunities. The convergence of constitutional and international commitments places a clear responsibility on the state to develop effective mechanisms to increase enrolment, reduce exclusion, and ensure that children can benefit from their right to education.

The participants emphasized that the issue of out-of-school children cannot be addressed through enrollment targets alone. It requires sustained attention to the structural factors that keep children outside the formal education system, as well as stronger policy implementation and coordination among relevant institutions.

The initiative forms part of IPS’s broader engagement with pressing issues concerning Pakistan’s social development and public policy. Through its work on children’s education, the institute aims to contribute to informed policy discourse on fulfilling the state’s constitutional responsibility and advancing the country’s commitments under the global education agenda.

The discussion concluded with remarks by IPS Chairman Khalid Rahman, who emphasized making education a vital national priority. Universal and quality education requires concerted efforts from the government at all levels, its relevant institutions, and society to ensure that no child remains deprived of education, he added.

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Health minister orders probe into Sindh MDCAT complaints

ISLAMABAD:Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal has taken notice of alleged irregularities in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) held in Sindh and ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the complaints.

According to official sources, the minister directed a five-member committee, including the President of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), to conduct a transparent investigation and submit its report within 15 days.

The committee has been tasked with examining the complaints and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the alleged irregularities during the examination, sources said.

The minister directed the committee to complete the inquiry within the stipulated timeframe and present its findings for further action in accordance with the applicable rules.

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CDA chairman directs faster work on Expressway East project

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Sohail Ashraf has directed officials to accelerate work on the Islamabad Expressway Service Road East project while ensuring strict compliance with approved designs and construction standards.

During an inspection of the project on Saturday, the chairman reviewed progress and was briefed on ongoing works and the next phase of development.

He directed the project director and relevant departments to maintain continuous field monitoring and quality control and ensure effective traffic management to minimise inconvenience to commuters.

The chairman described the Expressway East project as an important infrastructure scheme for improving connectivity, traffic flow and road capacity in the capital. He also stressed that construction quality should not be compromised in efforts to meet the project timeline.

During the visit, he was also briefed on an ongoing enforcement operation against unauthorised and illegal construction along the Islamabad Expressway.

According to the CDA, 377 buildings have been identified for action, including 281 commercial structures. So far, 58 buildings have been sealed, while 124 buildings between Sohan and Khanna bridges have been marked for demolition.

The authority said Rs234.685 million had been recovered through land-use conversion, unauthorised construction and de-sealing charges. Around Rs3 billion remained recoverable under applicable regulations in connection with land-use conversion and violations relating to unauthorised construction, setbacks, floor area ratio and covered area.

The chairman directed the relevant departments to ensure strict enforcement of building-control and land-use regulations, particularly mandatory fire-safety requirements.

The enforcement operation is being conducted by the CDA’s Building Control Section and Enforcement Directorate in coordination with the district administration and Islamabad police.

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GB ministers call on Governor Kundi

PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Saturday held a meeting with a delegation of Gilgit-Baltistan ministers at the Governor’s House here and discussed the country’s political situation and other matters of mutual interest.

The delegation comprised Gilgit-Baltistan Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Zulfiqar Ali Murad, Minister for Health Iqbal Hassan and Minister for Education Aman Ali Ameer.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the prevailing political situation in the country and various issues of mutual interest. They also discussed the recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Pakistan Peoples Party’s success in the polls.

The visiting ministers were taken on a tour of the Governor’s House. Governor Kundi presented them with traditional shawls and caps.