Paris 15th November 2019. Mr. Shafqat Mahmood, Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training met UNESCO Director General Ms. Audrey Azoulay at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris today. They discussed Pakistan and UNESCO partnership in the fields of education, culture, science and communication.

The Ambassador of Pakistan to France and Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO Mr. Moin ul Haque was also present during the meeting.

The Minister apprised the Director General about the steps taken by Pakistan for delivering quality and equitable education focusing on uniform curriculum, teacher training, upgrading school infrastructure and technical & vocational training. The Minister sought UNESCO technical advice and validation of Pakistan initiative to develop uniform new national curriculum and for the promotion of technical and vocational training.

The Minister also briefed the Director General about the rich culture heritage of Pakistan and new projects relating to mapping of all heritage and archaeological sites of Pakistan and the publication of coffee table book regarding cultural sites along Grand Trunk road. He sought UNESCO’s assistance for conservation and protection of these historical sites.

He thanked the Director General for designating Lahore as a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of literature along with 65 other cities of the world which he said will help in preserving and promoting city’s literary heritage.

The Minister also briefed the Director General about the situation in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir and the curbing of fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people particularly their educational & cultural rights. He specially expressed his grave concern about 1.5 million Kashmiri students who have not been able to attend schools since imposition of curfew on August 5. He expressed the hope that UNESCO’s moral authority could be exercised to ease the sufferings of the Kashmiri people.

The Minister extended an invitation to the Director General to visit Pakistan.

Later the Minister presided the meeting of the Education Commission. He also held bilateral meetings with Dr. Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Shaikh the Saudi Minister of Education and Dr. Salim El Malik, Director General of Islamic Education Scientific and Culture Organization (IESCO) and discussed matters of mutual interest.