Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Miftah Ismail said education is the foundation of national development and stressed that appointments of teachers and other educational staff should be made strictly on merit to provide opportunities to capable and qualified individuals.
He said teachers should be given proper recognition and facilities according to their qualifications, experience, and performance.
Miftah Ismail said the government collects taxes from citizens under various categories, which creates a responsibility to protect public rights and provide better services in key sectors, including education.
He added that unfair treatment of any segment of society, particularly teachers, should not be acceptable.
Expressing concern over delays in teachers’ salaries, he said educators in several parts of the country have to wait for months to receive their payments, which not only affects them financially but also harms the education system.
He called for ensuring timely salaries and financial benefits for teachers so they can perform their duties with focus and dedication.
The Awam Pakistan Party leader further said that if the government is serious about improving education, it must increase the education budget and focus on upgrading educational institutions, providing modern facilities, promoting research, and improving teacher training programs.
"Investment in education is an investment in the future of the country," he said.
Miftah Ismail also emphasized that teachers, education experts, representatives of educational institutions, and other stakeholders should be included in the process of developing national education policies to ensure practical decisions based on ground realities.
Concluding his remarks, he said Pakistan’s economic and social progress depends on a strong, modern, and quality education system. He added that education, research, and human resource development must remain among the country’s top priorities if Pakistan aims to join the ranks of developed nations.
