The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), in its meeting held in Islamabad and chaired by the Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Ahsan Iqbal, approved six education sector projects with a total cost of Rs. 19.253 billion. These projects were presented by the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training and were cleared at the CDWP level.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, Chief Economist, Vice Chancellor PIDE, members of the Planning Commission, federal secretaries, heads of provincial Planning & Development departments, and senior representatives from relevant federal ministries and provincial governments.
The approved projects include:
“Establishment of Danish Schools at District Kan Mehtarzai, Qilla Saifullah, Balochistan” worth Rs. 2,929.856 million;
“Establishment of Danish Schools at District Sibi, Balochistan” worth Rs. 3,351.987 million;
“Establishment of Daanish School at Azad Jammu and Kashmir” worth Rs. 3,042.778 million ;
“Establishment of Daanish School at Baiker, District Dera Bugti, Balochistan” worth Rs. 2,665.733 million ;
“Establishment of Daanish School at District Musakhel, Balochistan” worth Rs. 3,630.771 million ;
and “Establishment of Danish Schools at District Zhob, Balochistan” worth Rs. 3,632.405 million.
All six projects are based on a 50:50 cost-sharing formula between the federal government and the respective provincial governments.
In line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s initiative to provide a high-quality education system across the country, the Punjab government had earlier established a wide network of Daanish Schools, the largest system of free boarding schools for boys and girls in Pakistan. These schools aim to uplift the most marginalized segments of society by providing access to quality education. Now, other provinces are also taking steps to replicate this model to support talented students from underprivileged backgrounds. The federal government also plans to establish new Daanish Schools in underserved districts. For this purpose, land has been proposed and detailed visits will be conducted during the feasibility stage.
The establishment of these schools represents a major step forward in addressing challenges faced by the education sector, especially in less developed areas. By offering quality education to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, the initiative aims to empower youth, build stronger communities, and help create a more inclusive and equitable society. These schools will move beyond traditional rote learning methods and promote 21st-century education models by integrating technology to improve delivery and track student progress.
The core objective of the project is to set up fully functional boarding schools with staff residential facilities, equipped with modern education systems. These institutions will serve both boys and girls from Grade 6 to 12. Each school is envisioned as a model institution that combines advanced learning technologies with traditional values, focusing on innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy, all within a safe and inspiring learning environment.
While reviewing the proposals, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal stated that more than 25 million children in Pakistan are currently out of school, which is a serious national concern. He stressed that raising the literacy rate to 90 percent is essential for the country’s development. He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to invest in education and support the provinces in building modern, quality institutions like Daanish Schools under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).
The Minister appreciated the Government of Balochistan for allocating land for the construction of a Daanish School and for agreeing to bear 50 percent of the project cost, setting a positive example for other provinces.
He further said that in line with the Prime Minister’s vision, the initiative aims to expand access to quality education in underdeveloped districts. The Daanish Schools, originally introduced by the Punjab government, are among the largest networks of boarding schools in the country, providing free education to deserving boys and girls from marginalized communities.
Minister Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that the facilities will also be open today scholars to ensure wider access and promote social equity. He added that by shifting from traditional rote learning methods to modern pedagogical techniques, Pakistan can empower its youth and provide a skilled workforce to drive the national economy forward.
The Daanish Schools initiative marks a major step toward building an inclusive and forward-looking education system, especially for children in remote and underserved areas, Ahsan Iqbal.
