Pakistan’s Federal Education Minister, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, has vowed “practical support” to restore educational institutions in war-torn Palestine, a pledge made during a meeting organized by the OIC’s Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) on Thursday.

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Since the outbreak of hostilities in Gaza on October 7, 2023, over 44,000 Palestinians have been killed due to Israeli military actions, with the region’s education system bearing the brunt of the devastation. UNICEF reports that 625,000 children in Gaza have already missed an entire school year, with the conflict threatening to rob them of a second consecutive year of education.

COMSTECH has been proactive in addressing these challenges. In 2021, it partnered with the Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan (APSUP) to offer 500 fully funded scholarships to Palestinian students. This initiative expanded to 5,000 scholarships in 2023, enabling many Palestinian students to pursue full-degree programs in Pakistan.

Dr Siddiqui, accompanied by COMSTECH Coordinator General Dr Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, recently visited the Palestinian embassy in Islamabad. They met with Palestinian Ambassador Dr Zuhair Zaid to discuss urgent education-related matters and the broader rehabilitation of Palestine’s educational infrastructure.

A press release issued by COMSTECH quoted Siddiqui as reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to Palestine. “Pakistan stands ready to help rebuild and revitalize the education system in Palestine, providing both material and strategic support,” Siddiqui said. He also disclosed plans to convene an extraordinary meeting of OIC education ministers in Islamabad to develop a long-term strategy for supporting Palestine’s education sector.

Siddiqui further highlighted his recent discussions with education ministers from various countries during a visit to Oman. These talks centered on fostering international collaboration to ensure a sustainable recovery for Palestine’s education system.

In response, Ambassador Zaid expressed heartfelt gratitude for Pakistan’s enduring solidarity. “The unwavering support of Pakistan, COMSTECH, and its people will forever remain etched in the hearts of the Palestinian people,” he said.

The pledge comes at a time when Palestine faces one of its darkest hours. Pakistan’s ongoing support underscores its commitment to standing with the Palestinian people, especially in rebuilding their future through education.

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