The Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE), in collaboration with the Pakistan Coalition for Education (PCE), hosted an impactful policy dialogue titled “Investing in Education: Bridging Financial Gaps and Optimizing Resource Allocation.” The event aimed to discuss the financial challenges faced by Pakistan’s education sector, aligning with the constitutional commitment under Article 25-A to provide free and compulsory education and with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG-4) for inclusive and quality education for all.

Dr. M. Shahid Soroya, Director General of PIE, welcomed attendees with remarks emphasising PIE’s commitment to collaborative, innovative solutions for closing funding gaps in education. The dialogue underscored the critical need for increased investment in education, currently at only 1.5% of GDP, well below the 4% SDG-4 target.
The Additional Secretary, Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training, served as the chief guest, presenting the ministry’s initiatives to improve education access and quality nationwide. These include free meal programs, health and hygiene initiatives, Early Childhood Education (ECE) classrooms, solarisation in schools, pink bus services for female students, the establishment of IT and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) labs equipped with robotics and AI, and repurposing unused hostels into IT labs. Public-private partnerships have also been established to bring educational fellows and specialists into the system, broadening capacity and outreach.
Dr. Zaigham Qadeer, Director of PIE’s Research Wing, provided a comprehensive overview of the dialogue, focusing on education financing, budget allocation efficiency, and equitable resource distribution across Pakistan’s provinces and educational levels.

In the panel discussion, distinguished Panelist Mr Qaisar Alam Special Secretary of Elementary & Secondary Education KPK, Ms Izza Farrak, Senior Education consultant at the World Bank, Dr. Ahmed Ali, Executive Director I-SAPS, Mr Amjad Saleemi, Regulatory Reforms Consultant, Ms. Zehra Ahmed, Executive Director Pakistan Coalition of Education, emphasised this collaborative policy dialogue marked an important step toward uniting stakeholders to bridge financial gaps in education, optimise resource allocation, and advance Pakistan’s journey towards a well-funded, inclusive, and equitable educational system.
Dr. Shahid Soroya delivered closing remarks, reaffirming PIE’s dedication to promoting educational equity and supporting policy changes that strengthen Pakistan’s educational governance.