Pakistan, like the rest of the world, is confronted with urbanization, industrialization, the information explosion and all the complexities that characterize the atomic age; however, the majority of Pakistanis have yet to acquire basic reading, writing and arithmetic skills which are essential to meet the simplest demands of modern living. An analysis of the slow progress made in literacy eradication in Pakistan clearly points at poor monitoring and lack of motivation on the part of administrators, teachers, and students. As for public motivation this has to be created and not taken for granted. Governmental support and funding alone will not suffice to bring about an appreciable rise in the literacy rate in Pakistan. Literacy efforts have to have a social rather than a bureaucratic base. Pakistan has four provinces, each having its own provincial language. Literacy curricula will have to accommodate provincial needs to encourage literacy in the provinces. (RS)