Millions of children working at workshops instead of attending schools: Khurram Nawaz Gandapur

The State took responsibility for free education in 2010, which remains unfulfilled
1.5 lakh children are receiving education in Minhaj-ul-Quran institutions
He extends congratulations to Minhaj Youth League leadership for a successful founding convention

Secretary General of Pakistan Awami Tehreek, Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, has expressed grave concern that over 25 million children in Pakistan are still working in hotels and workshops instead of attending schools. He questioned why the state has failed to fulfill its 2010 commitment to provide free education to children aged 6 to 16, asking who is accountable for this negligence.

He made these remarks while speaking with a delegation led by Rana Waheed Shehzad, the central president of Minhaj Youth League that called on him in his office.

Khurram Nawaz Gandapur congratulated the Minhaj Youth League leadership on the successful organization of their founding convention at Aiwan-e-Iqbal, Lahore. He said that no single government can be held solely responsible for failing to provide quality education, as every government since 2010 has been complicit in this constitutional violation and national negligence.

The PAT Secretary General emphasized that the mission of providing education must be free from political interference, and Pakistan urgently needs an educational emergency. "Where there is ignorance, there will be poverty," he said. He highlighted that despite the constitutional amendment passed in 2010 mandating free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 16, provinces have yet to enact necessary legislation—a grave crime and incompetence.

Khurram Nawaz Gandapur pointed out that a significant number of children not attending school belong to Punjab. He said that over the past two years, no debates or resolutions regarding the deteriorating state of education have taken place in the National Assembly or provincial assemblies.

"Darkness of ignorance will not end with mere statements; practical steps are required," he stressed.

Khurram Nawaz Gandapur praised the efforts of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, founder and patron-in-chief of Minhaj-ul-Quran, whose initiatives have established hundreds of educational institutions providing education to over 1.5 lakh boys and girls.

He announced the establishment of a new international-standard institution named "Al-Azmiyah" under Dr. Qadri’s vision, which aims to promote peace and eradicate poverty and ignorance through education.

He concluded by stating that Minhaj-ul-Quran’s role in increasing literacy in Pakistan is undeniable and exemplary.