DG NCHD reaffirms commitment to raise literacy rate ate to 70%

RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Feb, 2026) Director General of the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), Ali Asghar, reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicate illiteracy and significantly increase the literacy rate, setting a national target of 70 percent over the next five years.

He emphasized that achieving this goal requires coordinated action and collaboration among Federal and provincial institutions, universities, social organisations, and youth to make education accessible to every household.

He expressed these views while addressing the “Each-One, Teach-One” programme at Rawalpindi Women University, jointly organized by NCHD and Save Our Society. Under the initiative, university students provided basic urdu and mathematics education to 149 illiterate individuals.

Ali Asghar highlighted that promoting literacy is not merely an educational project but a cornerstone of social and economic development. He stressed that sustainable progress cannot be realised until every individual in society acquires reading and writing skills. Praising the students’ efforts, he said the youth have shown their readiness to fulfil national responsibilities through practical action.

The programme involved NCHD providing learning kits to nine focal persons at the university.

In the first phase, 68 students received training, followed by 81 in the second phase. These trained students collectively educated 149 illiterate individuals, who later sat for exams at the university. Successful participants were awarded certificates during the ceremony, while the focal persons received shields.

Malik Azhar Mahmood, Executive Director of Leeds University, Lahore, pointed out that millions of children remain out of school and literacy progress remains slow. He stressed the importance of scaling up such models nationally and announced that Leeds University will launch similar initiatives.

Registrar of Rawalpindi Women University, Dr Huma Rauf, assured full support to expand the programme, aiming to turn the “teach one, educate all” concept into tangible social impact. Director of Student Affairs, Khadija Saeed, said the initiative effectively raises awareness among students about social responsibility.

The ceremony concluded with the distribution of certificates and shields to participants, reaffirming the commitment to continue joint efforts to promote education and eliminate illiteracy. Representatives from NCHD, Save Our Society, Dar-e-Arqam Schools, and Leeds University, Lahore, were also present.