ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said his government is determined to improve the quality of education, enhance gender equality and provide increased learning opportunities to both male and female students in Pakistan.

According to a statement issued by the PM House, the premier made these remarks while talking to Nobel laureate Malala Yousufzai, who met him in the Norwegian capital Oslo today.

Nawaz said significant steps have been taken for the promotion of the rights of women, children and minorities, and efforts towards an inclusive society will continue.

He said the government is committed to increasing education spending to four per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Furthermore, he said that reconstruction of around 1,000 schools that were destroyed in the 2005 earthquake is underway.

On the occasion, the premier praised Malala for her bravery and steadfastness, saying that these qualities have made her a role model for millions in spite of her tender age. He said he admired the personal interest taken by her to promote education.

The premier also reiterated that the government has made a strong resolve to eliminate terrorism, which will help attain the dream of providing better education to all. He added that the sacrifices of those who have suffered at the hands of terrorists will not go in vain.

He said terrorists are on the run, since their sanctuaries and hideouts have been wiped out by army operations.

He once again congratulated Malala on being the recipient of the Nobel Peace Price in 2014 and called her the pride of Pakistan.

Malala appreciated the steps taken by the government in order to improve the state of education in the country. She said that education is the key to eliminating terrorism as well as the mindset behind terrorism in addition to creating increased employment opportunities for the people.

She said that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will prove to be beneficial for every Pakistani, as it will provide them with better access to education and health facilities.

She said she has a dream of serving Pakistan and helping its underprivileged children.

The premier’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant Mr Tariq Fatemi, and Minister of State for Education and Professional Training Mohammad Baligh-ur-Rahman were also present at the meeting.

Read more: Mapping education in Pakistan 2015

Govt's policies facilitate regional trade and investment flows: PM

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said the government's policies offer a market-driven and pragmatic approach supported by an evolving institutional framework that facilitates regional trade and investment flows.

He made these remarks during his meeting with the CEO of Telenor Norway, Mr Jon Fredrik Baksaas, who called on him on the sidelines of Oslo Summit today.

PM Nawaz during a meeting with CEO of Telenor Norway Mr Jon Fredrik Baksaas. —Photo courtesy: PM House

PM Nawaz said investment policy has been designed to provide a comprehensive framework for creating a conducive business environment for the attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

He appreciated the role and investment by Telenor in Pakistan and said that Pakistan's strategic advantage in being the gateway to Central Asia, Gulf and the West Asia makes Pakistan a market full of opportunities. Pakistan's policy trends have been consistent, with liberalisation, deregulation, privatisation and facilitation being its cornerstones, he added.

The premier said the consumer market in Pakistan is growing at a very fast pace as is reflected by tele-density which has now reached 125 million.

He said Pakistan's telecom sector has attracted substantial investment after deregulation and during the last 10 years billions of dollars have been invested in telecom infrastructure in the country.

Mr Baksaas appreciated the reforms and initiatives taken by the government towards stabilising the economy and improving macro-economic stability.

He also briefed the Prime Minister about the history of Telenor, which came to Pakistan in 2004. The company is currently employing more than 2000 people directly and between 30,000-40,000 people indirectly having 34 million customers in Pakistan with a market share of more than 50 per cent. In the longer run the company also wants to enter in micro-finance sector, he informed the Prime Minister.

He said Pakistan is the only country in the world to have done biometric verification of mobile phone sims which can go a long way in digitalisation of country.