ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has congratulated teenage education campaigner Malala Yousafzai on winning the Nobel Peace Prize, calling her the “pride” of his country.

“She is the pride of Pakistan. She has made her countrymen proud. Her achievement is unparallelled and unequalled. Girls and boys of the world should take the lead from her struggle and commitment,” he said in a statement.

Nawaz Sharif was joined in his tribute by residents of her native Swat Valley. Ahmed Shah, Malala´s school teacher and uncle said: “Malala is a pride for Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan,” referring to the country´s insurgency-wracked northwest province.

“She raised her voice for the injustices in a society where women can´t even speak. “Ayesha Khalid, who was at school with Malala, added: “It´s not Malala alone winning this award, the girls of Pakistan have won it.”

Malala is the light of our eyes and the voice of our heart.

“She has proved that you can´t put a halt to education by blowing up schools”. Meanwhile, political leaders Asif Ali Zardari,Natioal Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Altaf Hussain, Imran Khan, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Assefa Bhutto, Marvi Memon, women’s rights activist Farzana Bari and others have also congratulated Malala for winning Nobel Peace Prize.