'Karachi's resources lighting up Islamabad'

Federal Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has said that while Islamabad is flourishing on the strength of Karachi's resources, children in the country's largest city continue to face difficulties in accessing basic educational facilities. He said this while addressing a ceremony at Nazeer Hussain University on Sunday.

Dr Siddiqui remarked that although Karachi is Pakistan's wealthiest city, the poverty rate here remains alarming. "Islamabad is illuminated and benefiting from the country's resources, yet Karachi's children struggle to receive education with basic facilities," he said.

The minister noted that between 25 to 30 million children in Pakistan are out of school, terming it a major tragedy. He questioned whether the country should be more concerned about out-of-school children or "out-of-school teachers." Key sectors such as education and health were devolved to the provinces, but the outcomes have not met expectations. According to Planning Commission data, poverty declined in three out of four provinces over the past three years, but increased in the country's richest province.