The Government of Pakistan, in partnership with UNESCO, has launched the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG-4) Midterm Review (MTR) Report at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) in Islamabad. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFEPT) and the Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE), evaluates Pakistan’s progress, challenges, and future strategies to achieve inclusive and equitable quality education by 2030.
The launch event, a significant milestone, was spearheaded by Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives. Mr. Hassan Saqlain, Additional Secretary of MoFE&PT, praised UNESCO for its guidance in the SDG-4 MTR process and stressed the importance of collective action to implement the report’s recommendations for transforming Pakistan’s education sector.
Mr Kar Hung Antony Tam, Officer-in-Charge of UNESCO Pakistan, delivered the opening remarks, reiterating UNESCO’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s education sector by aligning national policies with global standards. As the custodian of SDG-4, he emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to address gaps, accelerate progress, and ensure no child is left behind.
In his keynote address, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the necessity of increased investment and improved governance in education. He emphasized the SDG-4 MTR Report’s role in providing actionable recommendations to enhance the education sector in line with the 2030 Education Agenda. He called for a unified, data-driven approach to reduce regional disparities and advance progress toward SDG-4. The Minister also underscored the importance of building a knowledge economy to foster sustainable development, innovation, and global competitiveness, noting that a well-educated workforce is crucial for economic growth and national prosperity.
Dr Muhammad Shahid Soroya, Director General of PIE, presented the report’s key findings, offering a detailed analysis of Pakistan’s educational progress, challenges, and strategic recommendations to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The findings highlighted the need for policy reforms, increased funding, and targeted interventions to address gaps in access, equity, and quality of education.
Ms Raheela Hamed Khan Durrani, Education Minister of Balochistan, reaffirmed her commitment to expanding educational access, promoting equity, and ensuring quality learning opportunities in the province. She emphasized the government’s focus on educational reforms, institutional capacity building, and public-private partnerships to achieve SDG-4 goals.
Representatives from Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir shared insights into their regional education initiatives, discussing localized challenges, innovative practices, and policy strategies. They highlighted the importance of decentralized, context-specific approaches to achieving SDG-4 targets and advocated for establishing SDG-4 units in all provinces and regions, following Sindh’s model, to ensure coordinated efforts toward sustainable education development.
The SDG-4 MTR Report will serve as a roadmap for the Government of Pakistan to accelerate progress in education by 2030, offering actionable recommendations to address existing challenges and drive meaningful change in the sector.