This refers to the letter “Why Not Recognition from Pakistan for Malala.”
To put the record straight, since Shafi might have not noticed Pakistan’s efforts in that regard, I would like to inform that Pakistan has spearheaded a campaign for Malala Yousafzai as a symbol of all that is good about us. Everybody in Pakistan recognizes that Malala stood up against myopic societal interpretation of militants not only on her home turf, Swat, but also for the rest of Pakistan.
Likewise, Pakistan’s government considers Malala as a beacon of light for the youth of Pakistan and as a symbol of resistance to the regressive mindset.
That is why, Pakistan observed Malala Day on Nov. 10, 2012 and urged the international community for observance of the Malala Day as a demonstration of the realization that the attackers of Malala would not stop at Pakistan, but threaten the whole world.
To drive home the message and to reinforce the idea Malala represents, Pakistan on the eve of Malala Day, launched special “Waseela-e-Taleem” initiative to give free education to the children particularly female children from the poorest of the poor families in the country.
Also, at the request of Pakistan, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged the international community to observe the Malala Day.
Shafi therefore must be well contended that there is complete realization in Pakistan and among its citizens that Malala deserves Nobel Peace Prize as the country took initiative to make the world realize that efforts of courageous Malala should be internationally acclaimed. — Aisha Rashid, By e-mail
