‘Let Girls Learn’ Programme: Allegations of embezzlement on Maryam Nawaz

The Sindh High Court bench headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, a two-judge bench was hearing a constitutional petition of a civil rights campaigner, Bisma Naureen, on September 26, directed the respondent federal government authorities to file details of the programme ‘Let Girls Learn’ through which former US first lady Michelle Obama granted 70 million dollars to Maryam Nawaz to promote girls’ education in Pakistan.

The petitioner informed the judges that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz and Michelle Obama had signed a contract to enhance Pak-US cooperation and vowed to work together on expanding opportunities of education for females in Pakistan. However, she alleged, not a single penny was spent on education as no programme was launched by the government.

The civil rights campaigner stated in her petition that no one knew where the amount had been used, alleging that $70 million was embezzled.

The petitioner also questioned Maryam’s authority to run government affairs and said that the former prime minister’s daughter did so without holding any public office. She also asked the federal authorities to explain under which capacity Maryam Nawaz had signed the agreement with the US First Lady.

About ‘Let Girls Learn’

The then US president Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama  launched the “Let Girls Learn” initiative in year 2015 to help more than 60 million girls worldwide who don’t attend school and they have asked world leaders to join the effort.

The United States strategy to empower adolescent girls ensures that adolescent girls get the education they deserve. As a part of USAID's global contribution to empower adloescent girls, USAID Pakistan is providing $70 million to new and ongoing programs that benifit 200,00 adolescent girls aged 10-19 accross the country.

Announced in October 2015, USAID Pakistan is seeking opportunities to foster public-private partnerships and collaborate with other development partners to advance girls' education and empowerment. The program will serve as a platform and catalyst for broader political and social commitment to strengthen adolescent girls' education and empowerment in Pakistan. Young women in Pakistan face barriers and lack of access to education opportunities from an early age due to poverty, cultural norms, and geographic isolation. Empowering girls and ensuring them access to quality education has long-term, transformational benefits for their own future, their families and communities, and for Pakistan's economic prosperity overall.

Over the past decade, the United States, through USAID, has given Pakistan nearly $7.7 billion of funding. Pakistan remains one of America’s largest recipients of foreign assistance.