Key Points
- The Turkish Maarif Foundation will open its first school in Azad Kashmir in Muzaffarabad, marking a historic expansion.
- MoU has been signed, with the AJK government providing a dedicated building for the new campus.
- The state-of-the-art facility will feature 45 classrooms for 1,000 students from Kindergarten to Intermediate level.
- The project, backed by the highest leadership of both countries, expands the foundation’s network to 26 campuses across Pakistan.
ISLAMABAD: In a move to deepen fraternal bonds, the educational bridge between Türkiye and Pakistan is extending into the scenic valleys of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The Turkish Maarif Foundation is poised to establish its pioneering school in Muzaffarabad, marking a historic first for the region and injecting a fresh wave of academic excellence into the local landscape.
26th Beacon: Pak-Turk Maarif Campus Strengthens Bilateral Knowledge Partnership
This landmark venture, the Pak-Turk Maarif International Campus, will be the foundation’s 26th beacon of learning in Pakistan. Its arrival in Kashmir signifies more than just a new address; it represents a tangible flourish in the blossoming partnership between the two nations, firmly rooted in the fertile ground of knowledge-sharing.
MoU Signed: AJK Government Provides Dedicated Building for New Campus
The promise was cemented with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, where the AJK government pledged a dedicated building to house this future hub of learning.
The ceremony, graced by AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan and the Foundation’s Pakistan Country Director, Harun Küçükaladağlı, set the stage for a transformative academic journey.
State-of-the-Art Facility: 45 Classrooms to Serve 1,000 Students from KG to Intermediate
Envisioned as a comprehensive educational ecosystem, the campus will unfold from the playful curiosity of Kindergarten to the focused ambition of Intermediate levels.
Within its 45 modern classrooms, designed to nurture approximately 1,000 students, a blend of national and international curricula will be offered.
This state-of-the-art facility aims to cultivate young minds within a world-class learning environment, with its doors scheduled to open for the 2026-2027 academic session.
High-Level Backing: Project Champions Include Presidents and Prime Ministers
The project carries the imprimatur of the highest leadership, having been championed during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Pakistan and actively pursued by Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.
This top-level stewardship underscores the strategic weight both nations attach to empowering youth through education.
National Network Grows: 26 Campuses Now Illuminate Futures Across Pakistan
With this foray into Kashmir, the tapestry of Pak-Turk Maarif International Schools now spans 26 campuses across nine Pakistani cities, illuminating the futures of over 13,000 students.
Observers hail the Muzaffarabad campus as a cornerstone development, one set to unlock new horizons for Kashmiri youth, weave stronger people-to-people connections, and further solidify the enduring friendship between Türkiye and Pakistan, proving that shared foundations in education can build bridges that last for generations.
