Almost 40 percent of the nation lives under the poverty line. This rate has increased over the recent years. This has caused many parents to send their kids to madaris because they cannot afford their costly education. On the other hand 1.7 percent of our GDP is contributed to the education sector. As much as 50 percent of the GDP is allotted to the interest payments of the National loans. The education budget should be at least raised up to 7 percent. Quality education has deprived the youth of a good living and has made the job of radicals easy to brainwash them. The menace of extremism will not be curbed unless its allies, poverty and ignorance, are defeated.
ERAJ DANISH
Islamabad