**Pakistan’s Parliamentary Secretary for Education Visits National UNESCO Commission, Pledges Stronger Support for International Partnerships**
Ms. Farah Naz Akbar, Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training, visited the Pakistan National Commission for UNESCO (PNCU), where she received an extensive briefing on the commission’s mandate, operations, and international engagements. The visit underscored Pakistan’s growing role in global education, science, culture, and communication initiatives, while highlighting both achievements and ongoing institutional challenges.
During her visit, Ms. Akbar was introduced to PNCU’s legal foundation, established under Article VII of the UNESCO Constitution. Officials explained the commission’s role as the national coordinator for UNESCO and Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) activities. PNCU is responsible for aligning global priorities with Pakistan’s development goals, forging collaborations with academia and civil society, facilitating international scholarships and fellowships, and serving as the country’s principal liaison for multilateral cooperation in relevant fields.
Ms. Akbar was briefed about Pakistan’s active participation in the international arena, notably its current tenure on the UNESCO Executive Board for 2023–2027. Pakistan’s efforts have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education and the UNESCO International Literacy Prize in 2023. The country’s dedication to academic and research excellence was further demonstrated by the establishment of eight UNESCO Chairs and two ICESCO Chairs in various Pakistani institutions.
In addition to educational accomplishments, PNCU representatives outlined Pakistan’s contributions to cultural and environmental preservation. The commission oversees the maintenance of six UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 26 more on the Tentative List, has supported the addition of two new Biosphere Reserves—Chitral Garmchashma and Gallies—and celebrated the inscription of Nowruz on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List as a significant cultural achievement.
Education sector progress was also shared, including the creation of 40 smart classrooms for girls in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, the submission of seven projects under the UNESCO Participation Programme, and initiatives aimed at boosting STEM education as well as advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG-4 on quality education.
Regarding financial commitments, Ms. Akbar learned that Pakistan has pledged PKR 125.161 million toward UNESCO in Paris and PKR 80 million toward ICESCO in Morocco for the 2025–2026 period, demonstrating the country’s ongoing commitment to international cooperation.
However, the PNCU also brought attention to several operational challenges, such as a shortage of administrative staff due to unfilled positions, limited capacity building opportunities, budgetary constraints, and the need for stronger inter-institutional coordination following the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
Concluding her visit, Ms. Farah Naz Akbar commended the significant work being carried out by the PNCU and reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing Pakistan’s global engagements in education, science, and culture. She also expressed strong interest in supporting initiatives to build institutional capacity and resolve operational challenges, enabling the PNCU to better fulfil its broadening national and international mandates.
