Islamabad - 08 October 2015: To improve better access, quality and safe learning environments for girls in the hardest-to-reach areas of the country, UNESCO and the Government of Pakistan launched the Girls' Right to Education Programme for Pakistan worth 7 million USD. The programme aimed at enrolling 50,000 more girls in primary schools of remote areas over the next three years. In this context, an official launching ceremony was held in Islamabad which was well attended by officials and representatives of the federal, provincial and area Governments of Pakistan, Parliamentarians, United Nations, Civil Society Organizations, Academia, Press and Development Partners. Mr. Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman, Minister of State for Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training was the Chief Guest at the inaugural occasion. The girls' right to education programme is supported by the Malala Funds-in-Trust agreement signed in Islamabad in 2014 by Ms Bokova, Director General UNESCO and Mr. Baligh Ur Rehman, Pakistan's Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training. The programmed will be implemented with civil society organizations at community level in twelve remote districts of Pakistan including Jaffarabad and Ziarat in Balochistan; Upper and Lower Kohistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Muzaffargarh in Punjab; Tharparker in Sindh; Muzzafarabad, Hatiyan and Neelam in Azad Jammu and Kashmir; Prang Ghar Tehsil-Mohmand Agency of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas; Neelor and Tarnol Sector in Islamabad Capital Territory and Gilgit and Hunza Nagar in Gilgit Baltistan. The launching ceremony ended with a performance from a group of students from Rawalpindi Grammar School highlighting the importance of girls' education and empowerment followed by a panel discussion of the representatives of the Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial assemblies and representatives of civil society and academia who shared their perspective on girls' education. Ms. Maki Hayashikawa from UNESCO headquarters presented the global perspective on post-2015 sustainable development goals focusing on targets and indicators for SDG 4. Press Release Press Clipping The Nation | Dawn | Tribune | The News |