Maryam Nawaz, the Chief Minister of Punjab, expressed deep concern about the education situation for girls in Afghanistan during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey and announced the establishment of Pakistan’s first artificial intelligence university in Lahore.
She made these remarks at the fourth round of the International Antalya Diplomacy Forum held in Turkey, highlighting humanitarian crises in various countries and describing the deprivation of Afghan girls and women from education as one of the most painful manifestations of injustice.
She emphasized, “In Afghanistan, girls are deprived of education. In Palestine, children are trapped under rubble. In Kashmir, children face discrimination and violence. In Sudan, children walk kilometers to find food.”
In her speech, Maryam Nawaz added that education should not be limited to a curriculum but should serve as “a force for healing, a means to alleviate deprivation, and a tool for building a better world.”
Additionally, the Chief Minister of Punjab announced the establishment of Pakistan’s first artificial intelligence university in Lahore, considering it an important step towards shaping the future of Pakistan’s youth.
Maryam Nawaz referred to educational reforms in the province, stating, “We have upgraded over 4,000 primary schools, launched digital learning rooms in 6,000 schools, and allocated 50,000 merit-based scholarships for talented students.”
She also announced the hiring of 30,000 new teachers, the distribution of milk in schools to combat malnutrition, and vocational training for teachers, adding, “By utilizing technology and artificial intelligence, we aim to reconstruct the traditional education model.”
Furthermore, Maryam Nawaz unveiled a new initiative called “Nawaz Sharif Internet City,” presenting it as a symbol of Pakistan’s digital future.
While Maryam Nawaz advocates for the educational rights of Afghan girls, the current caretaker government has closed girls’ schools above the sixth grade since regaining power in Afghanistan, and there are no signs of policy change in the new academic year.
This action by the current government has resulted in millions of schoolgirls being deprived of education.
Moreover, women are barred from going to gyms, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, working in domestic and international NGOs, and even in UN offices in Afghanistan.
