Statement by Mohamed Yahya, the United Nations Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan, on the recent string of attacks against girls’ schools

The United Nations in Pakistan is deeply concerned by the recent string of attacks against girls’ schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Merged Districts (KPMD) and Balochistan. In just one month, four girls’ schools have been destroyed. The United Nations in Pakistan joins Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in calling for the protection of girls' right to education. We welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to bring the culprits to justice, repair and rebuild the damaged schools, and support Pakistan’s daughters in realizing their right to quality education.

At a time when the Prime Minister has declared an education emergency, pledging to enroll 26 million out-of-school children, ensuring the safety and security of schools is paramount, especially in remote and vulnerable areas.

Inclusive education, free from fear and intimidation, is the foundation of a strong and prosperous Pakistan. The United Nations in Pakistan stands ready to support the Government in the rehabilitation and re-opening of these schools as soon as possible.

For more information, please contact:

United Nations Information Centre in Pakistan (UNIC)
Catherine Weibel, catherine.weibel@un.org, +92 300 854 0058
Mahvash Haider Ali, mahvash.ali@un.org, +92 319 071 2828