Islamabad, October 4, 2026: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has paid tribute to teachers in Pakistan and around the world, saying they are entrusted with the vital responsibility of educating and nurturing the youth, who are the architects of the future.
In his message on World Teachers’ Day, the prime minister said teachers play an indispensable role in developing the individuality of young people, polishing their abilities and expanding their knowledge.
He said teachers, through intellectual development, guidance and character-building, help shape the shared social foundations and values of societies.
“The dedication, knowledge and commitment of teachers are undoubtedly instrumental in shaping the future of nations,” the prime minister said, describing teachers as the cornerstone of every successful education system.
He said teachers foster a spirit of inquiry among students and equip them with the confidence and skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said Pakistan’s development was intrinsically linked to the quality of its education system and the dedication of its teachers.
He stressed that an inclusive and future-oriented education system, responsive to artificial intelligence, climate change, technological advancement and the evolving knowledge-based employment landscape, was essential for a brighter future.
He said students must be equipped not only with knowledge but also with critical thinking, creativity, ethical values, adaptability and the capacity for lifelong learning.
The prime minister said making the education system merit-based, high-quality and aligned with global standards remained a foremost priority of the government.
He highlighted the establishment and expansion of Danish Schools across the country as an effort to make quality education accessible to talented and deserving students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Shehbaz Sharif said teachers had a pivotal role in strengthening and improving the education system, adding that the government was committed to providing them with quality professional training, modern educational resources and a conducive teaching and learning environment.
He described the establishment of the National Institute of Excellence in Teacher Education (NIETE) in Islamabad as an important step towards teachers’ professional development.
The institute, he said, would serve as a centre for teacher education and training, with emphasis on professional development, research and innovation, and would help equip teachers with modern knowledge, skills and pedagogical practices.
The prime minister also highlighted the government’s curriculum reforms under the National Curriculum of Pakistan, saying the federal government, in collaboration with provinces and other stakeholders, was working towards a coherent national framework of educational standards.
He said the curriculum was being focused on competency, critical thinking, creativity and the requirements of the future.
Alongside academic education, the government was also emphasizing technical training and enhancing the skills and productive capacity of young people, he said.
The prime minister cited the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and the Prime Minister’s Youth Skills Development Programme among the initiatives providing opportunities for vocational and professional training in line with industrial demand and changing job-market requirements.
On World Teachers’ Day, Prime Minister Shehbaz called upon teachers to continue performing their responsibilities with sincerity and dedication as exemplary educators and nation-builders.
He particularly paid tribute to teachers serving in remote and underdeveloped areas, describing their services as a great national endeavour that deserved collective appreciation and support.
The prime minister expressed the hope that a new generation imbued with integrity, compassion, tolerance, discipline, creativity, mutual respect and patriotism would be capable of shouldering the responsibilities of the future.
