Prof. Dr. Hazir Ullah

Director School of Sociology and Director ORIC,
Quaid -i- Azam University

Short Bio: Professor. Dr. Hazir Ullah has served International Islamic University Islamabad as Deputy Dean and Chairman Department of Sociology. His research interests are reproduction of class & gender hierarchies through education, gender and class politics in textbooks, quality issues in higher education, gender issues in mass media. He is the most cited contemporary sociologist in Pakistan. He has successfully completed many international and national projects. His current projects include: a) Improving Gender Equality in Pakistan Higher Education Leadership and Decision-Making, funded by British Council UK and jointly implemented with the University of Gloucestershire, UK and (b) Creating Safer and Inclusive University Campuses in Pakistan, funded by British Council UK and jointly implement with university Aston University Birmingham UK.

Keynote Topic: Pakistan’s Progress on SDG 4 & 5: Global Commitments and Local Realities

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets are an urgent call for action by all countries, including Pakistan. This keynote paper spotlights and draws attention to Pakistan’s progress on two SDGs (SDG 4-equitable & quality education and SDG-5 gender equality and women empowerment). According to the SDG status report 2021, the progress on SDG 4 has remained stagnant (national literacy rate remained at 60 percent from 2015 to 2020 and 22.8 million children age 5-16 are out of schools). Similarly, the quality of education is compromised, especially in public sector schools and colleges. The progress on SDG 5 shows some improvements. The World Economic Forum Report 2022 and SDG status report 2021 across serval sub-indices such like increased access to higher education, participation in paid and political activities. Nevertheless, the Global Gender Gap Index Report 2022 has ranked Pakistan at 145/146 states declaring Pakistan the second-worst country in terms of gender parity. The aim of this paper is to discuss and highlight the status of selected SDGs (equitable and quality education and gender equality) in Pakistan and emphasize on concerted and consolidated efforts by stakeholders towards real progress on SDG 4 and 5.