Attacks on education are attacks on society’s future: Murad

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday said attacks on education are, in fact, attacks on the future of society, stressing that protecting children, teachers and educational institutions from violence is a shared responsibility of the state and society.

In his message on International Day for the Protection of Education from Attacks, Shah said Pakistan has made unprecedented sacrifices in the war on terrorism, with children and educational institutions among the victims.

He said the martyrdom of students and teachers of the Army Public School (APS) Peshawar would never be forgotten by the nation. The children who lost their lives in the tragic attack had sacrificed themselves for the cause of knowledge, he added.

He also said the APS martyrs have become a symbol of Pakistan’s commitment to a bright future, peace and education. Terrorists had attempted to destroy the future of Pakistani children by targeting schools and educational institutions, he added.

He also referred to the attack on Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, saying that it is a reminder of how extremist elements oppose the right to education, particularly for girls. He said the Sindh government considers education a fundamental right of every child, and is committed to providing a safe, peaceful and quality educational environment. Protecting every child studying in Sindh’s schools and ensuring a secure future for them remains among the government’s top priorities, he added.

He described education as the most effective weapon in the fight against terrorism and extremism, saying that those who target schools, teachers and students are ultimately targeting the future of society.

“We are determined that no child will study under the shadow of fear,” he said, emphasising that ensuring the safety of educational institutions across Sindh and Pakistan is a collective responsibility.

The CM also said that any attack on a school anywhere in the world should be viewed as an attack on the future of humanity. He urged the international community to make the protection of education from war, terrorism and violence a top priority. “Schools are not places of fear but places of hope, peace and a bright future.”

He vowed that the sacrifices of the martyred children would not go in vain, saying that their message of education, peace and tolerance would be carried forward. He said the Sindh government remains committed to building a strong, developed and peaceful Pakistan through education, tolerance and peace. “There is no compromise on education. Every child has the right to study in a safe environment.”