RAWALPINDI, April 19: Pakistan has launched a countrywide campaign with President Gen Pervez Musharraf pledging a firm commitment to the "Education for all" plan. Addressing a function held here on Monday to mark the start of a week-long campaign, he said the government was giving priority to the education plan.

"We are striving to ensure education for all children as it is the younger generation that would take Pakistan forward on the path of development. We are defining a direction for them and showing the light, but it is the younger lot who will take country forward."

The campaign focuses on creating awareness about the importance of Education for All (EFA) plan by involving policy makers, chief ministers and district nazims in the process. Children from rural and urban public and private schools as well as students from Madressahs attended the function.

The president informed the students that the government wanted to raise the standard of education across the country by introducing a uniform curriculum. He said the government was also making efforts to bring Madressahs into the mainstream education system. -APP