Almost three-quarters of Pakistani girls not in school

ISLAMABAD // Nearly three quarters of young Pakistani girls are not enrolled in primary school and the number finishing five years in education has declined, according to a UN and government report.

The findings, published yesterday, expose the miserable state of education for millions in Pakistan.

"Nearly half of primary school age children are not enrolled in school and among eligible girls the out of school proportion is closer to three-quarters. In absolute numbers, out-of-school girls outnumber their male counterparts," the report says.

Fifty-five per cent of all Pakistani adults are illiterate and among women the rate is closer to 75 per cent.