Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai returned to Pakistan on Thursday for the first time since being shot by Taliban militants. A visibly emotional Malala Yousafzai couldn’t contain her tears as she spoke for the first time after returning to her homeland. Addressing a function at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad, she said, “I am very happy, and I still can’t believe that this is actually happening.” “For the last five years, I have always just seen this dream of setting foot in my homeland,” she added.
In her emotional speech, the young activist did not forget to stress on the importance of education. Describing Pakistan’s future generations as “the biggest resources we have”, she said, “We need to invest in kids’ education. The Malala Fund is already working on this. We have invested more than $6 million on girls’ education in Pakistan, and we are continuing this work… I hope we can all join hands in this mission for the betterment of Pakistan, so that our future generation can receive the right education and women can become empowered, do jobs, stand on their own two feet and earn for themselves. That’s the future we want to see.”
The return of the Nobel laureate was also widely welcomed by social media users in Pakistan. Politicians, activists, artists, government officials and common people all posted messages lauding the bravery of Malala and welcome her on her return.
Malala was targeted by the Taliban in 2012 for championing girls’ education while she was on her way home in a school van after taking an exam. She was just 15 at the time of the attack. At the time of the attack two other girls were also in the school van – both of whom received bullet injuries. Malala sustained a bullet injury to her head and was shifted from Pakistan to a hospital in Birmingham in a precarious condition. The attack on the schoolgirls received widespread criticism at the national and international levels as Yousafzai received sympathy and support from across the world. After her recovery, Yousafzai announced launching a movement for the promotion of girls’ education. During a visit to Canada last year, she addressed the country’s parliament, and in 2017, the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres selected her to be a UN messenger of peace, the highest honour bestowed by the UN chief on a global citizen.
Malala’s struggle and bravery is an inspiration for millions across Pakistan and the rest of the world. Her relentless efforts for education, particularly girls’ education have been lauded worldwide. As the saying goes, the darkest nights produce the brightest stars. Malala is certainly our brightest star, who spoke out against the darkness of extremism gripping our homeland.