ISLAMABAD, Sep 8 (APP): International Literacy Day was marked across the world including Pakistan on Tuesday.National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) celebrated the day by launching its three-year plan for Universal Primary Education and Adult Literacy in the country.The event was organized in collaboration with UNESCO, ILO and Ministry of Education.The federal government plans to achieve literacy target of 86 percent by 2015 while Punjab has set eye on the literacy rate of 100 percent in the same period.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani addressed a seminar in Peshawar on ‘Literacy and Nation-Building: Approaching the Literacy Year 2010’. The seminar was organized by the National Commission for Human Development.

Gilani said education was the top priority of the government and it has doubled the budget to increase country’s literacy rate.

The Sindh Education Department arranged a walk at the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam. People from all walks of life participated in the walk.

School children as well as representatives of various non-governmental organizations besides notables and educationists took part in the walk.  Walks were also organized at the district headquarters in the provinces.

The walks were also arranged in Hyderabad, Larkana and Rahim Yar Khan to raise awareness about importance of education among masses.

Federal Minister for Education Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani renewed commitment of the government to achieve literacy rate of 86% by 2015.

Nafisa Shah, Chairperson NCHD has said NCHD will play its due role for achievement of the goals of Education for All and Literacy in Pakistan.

The international day is observed every year since 1965.

Literacy is recognized as a basic human right.

The purpose of the International Literacy Day is to focus attention on the need for mass literacy and to highlight the importance and benefits of literacy to individuals, communities, societies, and for the world community as a whole.

International Literacy Day therefore focuses attention on literacy issues and the need to raise public awareness and support for literacy.

Today, about 45 percent or over 50 million people in Pakistan are illiterate. Half of the rural women can not read and write.

Pakistan is a signatory to different national and international conventions and declarations, including Education For All (EFA) and MDGs.

Eradication of illiteracy is a constitutional responsibility of the State of Pakistan, as per Article 37-b of the Constitution.

The government has been taking steps to promote literacy and basic education in the country but the efforts can produce better results only when all sections of the society actively participate in the fight against illiteracy.

Policy makers and change agents, particularly the political parties and parliamentarians, should lead the literacy movement in their constituencies and at the national level.

Civil society, especially the mass media can play a key role in creating an enabling environment for promotion of literacy and basic education in Pakistani society.

The government has already declared the year 2010 as Literacy Year.