World's Youngest Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai to Visit Pakistan for International Girls' Education Conference
Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, the youngest recipient of the prestigious award, is set to visit Pakistan as a special guest for a two-day international conference on girls' education in Islamabad.
Education Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani announced that Malala will attend the event, scheduled for January 11-12, before returning home.
The conference, titled "Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities," will address the barriers and prospects for advancing girls' education in Muslim communities worldwide. It aims to foster meaningful dialogue and develop actionable solutions to these challenges.
An official statement highlighted that the conference will serve as a platform for high-level discussions and collaborations on educational reforms.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will deliver the keynote address during the opening session, reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to promoting girls' education and gender equality.
Over 150 dignitaries, including ministers, ambassadors, scholars, academics, and representatives from 44 Muslim and friendly nations, along with international organizations like UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank, are expected to attend.
The event will conclude with the signing of the Islamabad Declaration, a document outlining a unified commitment by Muslim communities to empower girls through education, paving the way for sustainable reforms and a brighter future.
During a press conference, Federal Education Minister Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui confirmed that all provincial education ministers, as well as chief ministers, would attend. He also emphasized Pakistan's respect for Afghan traditions, adding that the Afghan government has been invited to participate. "We still face significant challenges in education and employment," Siddiqui noted.
Malala last visited Pakistan in October 2022, when she toured flood-affected areas. At the age of 15, she was targeted and shot by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for advocating girls' education, a cause she continues to champion globally.
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