Literacy for People, Planet and Prosperity: Pakistan's 60-Year Journey Towards a Literate Future
Figure 1 International Literacy Day 2026 Celebration at Government Boys Higher Secondary School Gulmit, Gojal Hunza Source: Qasim Ali (2026) Executive Summary Pakistan marks the 60th International Literacy Day with a mixed record. The national literacy rate stands at 63 percent, but over 25 million children remain out of school. There is a dramatic contrast between Hunza's 95 percent literacy rate and Diamer's 30 percent female literacy rate. This feature explores Pakistan's literacy journey through UNESCO's 2026 theme of "Literacy for People, Planet and Prosperity." The article examines how literacy empowers individuals, protects the environment, and builds economic prosperity. Special focus is given to Gilgit-Baltistan, where educational success and struggle exist side by side. The article argues that literacy is not merely a technical skill but a foundation for human dignity, environmental sustainability, and lasting peace. Drawing on Islamic foundations of...