Antalya Diplomacy Forum: Maryam proposes global education pact for girls

ANTALYA (Turkiye)/LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif called for a global agreement for girls’ education, while addressing the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2025 in a landmark speech titled “Revolutionary Power of Education”.

“Every child should enter school, stay in school, and achieve success,” she declared, proposing formulation of global educational policies, collaborative teaching strategies, and shared measures to promote inclusive learning. She stated that the vision of ‘Friends of Education’ is to pursue dignified diplomacy, focused on the welfare of people, not just the interests of states.

Extending an invitation to Turkiye, the chief minister urged top Turkish universities to open campuses in Punjab, stating, “Turkish institutions should establish leading youth centres in Punjab.” She underscored that mutual educational partnerships and exchange programmes with Türkiye would pave the way for a future both nations can be proud of.

She praised the Turkish First Lady for convening the event, stating, “Together, we can solve every problem”.

The CM described social injustice as a barrier to children’s potential and asserted that education is “not just a department, but an expression of hope”. She paid tribute to the legacies of Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif, citing their contributions to education and development.

The CM announced the creation of Pakistan’s first AI University, in Punjab and a new Internet City named after Nawaz Sharif, showcasing her vision of digital education.

Meanwhile, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who welcomed and thanked her for attending the Diplomacy Forum Conference. President Erdogan asked her about the health of her father Nawaz Sharif.

Separately, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz took notice of an incident of death of a minor maid due to torture in Hanjarwal and also expressed a deep sense of grief over the death of PTV news producer Khawaja Shahid Mahmood. The CM expressed a deep sense of grief over the death of a five-year-old child by falling into an open manhole in Mughalpura, and sought a report from DC Lahore.