Islamabad: Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has emphasized sustained academic partnerships for the country to address deep-rooted challenges in the education sector and prepare youth for a rapidly changing world. Addressing a reception hosted in honor of a visiting delegation of the University of London and its alumnus in Islamabad, he termed education diplomacy as one of the most enduring instruments of international engagement.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Acting President said the presence of the University of London in Pakistan symbolizes a bridge of knowledge, aspiration, and partnership between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. He paid tribute to the University of London's global standing and its nearly two centuries of contribution to human progress across disciplines.

Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani underlined that Pakistan stands at a critical juncture in its educational development. Despite the resolve of its people and educators, the education sector continued to face structural problems, including a large number of out-of-school children, gender disparities, and regional inequalities that disproportionately affected girls and rural areas. He mentioned that the government had declared a national education emergency in 2024 to ensure equitable access to schooling and improve learning outcomes through coordinated federal and provincial efforts.

The Acting President said investment in education is not a cost, but the foundation of national progress. He noted that the approval of the AI Policy 2025 and the Digital Sector Roadmap 2025-2035 by Pakistan reflects its commitment to preparing youth for the digital economy. He said Pakistan's IT exports reached 3.8 billion dollars and are growing at around 20 percent annually. He called for deeper partnerships with institutions such as the University of London to build capacity, enhance pedagogy, and inspire excellence.

Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani expressed confidence that the visit of the delegation would open new avenues of collaboration, benefiting students in particular, who are the country's future. Addressing the event, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar commended the University of London for its long association with Pakistan and for introducing Pakistan-focused modules in its law programs. Sharing his experience as an alumnus, he said the education he received had strengthened his professional capabilities and public service.

Attaullah Tarar said the University of London worked effectively to promote education in Pakistan besides introducing innovation, creativity, and new modules. He said the University of London gave a new dimension to the quality of education in Pakistan. The Minister said programs like outreach programs will play an important role in promoting education in Pakistan.

In her remarks, Justice Ayesha Malik emphasized that access to quality education is a fundamental right. She urged the graduates of leading institutions to contribute to institution-building and uphold standards, particularly for those without similar opportunities. Addressing the event, MNA Ali Muhammad Khan, who is also an alumnus of the University of London, said the university had instilled strong research skills in its students. He called for expanded scholarship support to ensure that quality education be accessible to lower- and middle-income groups.