Siddiqui: Accepting Slavery is the Greatest Disability

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Federal Minister for Education Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui labeled accepting slavery, greed, and corruption as the greatest disabilities during a Karachi conference on disability reforms.

On August 4, 2025, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui addressed a one-day conference on Disability Reforms at the University of Karachi’s Chinese Teachers Memorial Auditorium, declaring that the greatest disability is not physical but the acceptance of slavery, greed, hatred, dishonesty, and corruption. Speaking to the media, Siddiqui emphasized that true progress lies in cultivating a mindset of freedom and integrity, per the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). He urged society to reject these societal ills to foster national development, aligning his remarks with Pakistan’s broader educational and moral reform efforts.

Siddiqui, also the Chairman of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), highlighted the government’s commitment to inclusive education, noting that 26 million out-of-school children remain a critical challenge. He reiterated plans to declare a national education emergency, a policy he proposed to the federal cabinet to reintegrate these children into schools, as reported by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training. The minister stressed the role of education in empowering marginalized groups, particularly those with disabilities, and praised the University of Karachi for hosting discussions on inclusive reforms, per Pakistan Observer.

The conference, attended by educators and policymakers, focused on aligning Pakistan’s education system with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-4), which emphasize quality education for all. Siddiqui called for leveraging technology to bridge educational gaps, citing the recent inauguration of a Tech-Ed Centre of Excellence with Google in Islamabad as a step forward, according to the Ministry of Federal Education. He also highlighted the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund (PEEF), which awarded Rs48 million in scholarships to 137 students, as a tool to remove financial barriers, per Radio Pakistan.

Siddiqui’s remarks underscored the need for societal and systemic change, urging collective action to combat corruption and promote merit-based education. He described educated youth as Pakistan’s greatest asset, capable of driving progress if equipped with modern skills, as stated at the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) ceremony, per Pakistan Today. The minister’s focus on integrity and education reflects the government’s push for self-reliance and national pride.