ISLAMABAD, July 12: A delegation of 30 girls from various schools on Friday sought girls’ right to education.

As part of Malala Day commemoration, they presented a resolution to Minister of State for Education and Training Mohammad Balighur Rehman at his office.

They also demanded enhanced opportunities and more budgetary allocation for education.

They said that government should take special measures to increase literacy rate among girls and ensure that they get education without any problem and fear.

The minister appreciated the efforts of the girls and said they had highlighted an important cause.

He said the government was vigorously trying to improve the standards of education and the points raised by the girls in the resolution were in line with their vision and they had already started working on it.

He said the government was trying to increase budgetary allocation up to four percent of the GDP in a gradual manner. Technical and Vocational Education is being made part of general education.

“An action plan on accelerated MDGs is yet another step we have taken. The action plan has been sent to the provinces and they will come up with their suggestions within a month,” he said.

The minister praised the courage of Malala in championing girls’ right to educate and said that brave girls like Malala strengthened their resolve.

Meanwhile, Awami National Party’s National Youth Organisation (NYO), in its official statement also paid tributes to Malala and stated that people around the world, particularly the youth, celebrated Malala Day on the 12th of

July, which also happened to be her birthday.

The statement said access to education for every child and young individuals must be ensured on an emergency basis.

NYO called upon the government to take immediate steps for ensuring access to education and the requisite protection to education infrastructure, teachers and students and respond to those forces with seriousness that are bent upon taking away the fundamental rights of our generation.

NYO says that it is a matter of serious concern that none of the perpetrators who have been involved in a continued series of terrorist activities, including what Malala herself faced at their hands, has been brought to justice.

NYO calls upon the government to take special measures for brining those perpetrators to justice who are involved in illicit activities that pose a danger to the very existence of our way of life.