Former UK diplomat runs marathon to help educate 25.2m children in Pakistan

Former British diplomat Mike Nithavrianakis embarked on a marathon journey to support education in Pakistan. During his three-year tenure from 2019 to 2022 as Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi and Trade Director for Pakistan, he visited schools run by The Citizens Foundation (TCF) in Pakistan. One vivid memory he carries is of interacting with young students who showed a genuine thirst for learning, a stark contrast to the lack of educational opportunities in many parts of the country.

Today, approximately 25.2 million children in Pakistan remain out of school. Nithavrianakis, having witnessed the disparities in Pakistan's education system, is now working to change this through the 2026 Global Run for Education. He aims to raise $1 million through a series of marathons, including Milan, London, Sydney, Chicago, New York City, and finally Karachi, spanning from April 2026 to January 2027. This funding would support about 6,000 students for a full academic year.

His initial marathon efforts in the UK, including the London and Manchester races, raised over $350,000 for TCF, which was instrumental in establishing the TCH School in Matiari District, Sindh. Nithavrianakis, a career diplomat with eight substantive postings, recently retired from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). He hopes his marathon campaign will expand TCF's reach to more children, providing them with the best possible education opportunities.