The world’s youngest Nobel laureate, Malala Yousafzai, is set to visit Pakistan to participate as a special guest in the two-day international conference on girls’ education, scheduled for January 11 and 12 in Islamabad.
Education Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani stated that Malala will return after attending the conference titled “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities.” The event aims to address challenges and opportunities in promoting girls’ education across Muslim communities, fostering dialogue, and finding actionable solutions.
The conference will serve as a platform for high-level discussions and collaborations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will deliver the keynote address during the opening session, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to promoting girls’ education and gender equality.
According to the official statement, the event will host over 150 international dignitaries, including ministers, ambassadors, scholars, and representatives from 44 Muslim and friendly countries, as well as international organizations such as UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank.
The conference will conclude with the signing of the Islamabad Declaration, which will outline the Muslim community’s shared commitment to empowering girls through education, paving the way for inclusive educational reforms and a brighter future.
Federal Education Minister Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui shared during a press conference that all provincial education ministers and chief ministers would attend the conference. He added that the Afghan government had also been invited, emphasizing that Pakistan values Afghan traditions.
Malala last visited Pakistan in October 2022 when she toured flood-affected areas. At the age of just 15, she was shot by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for her advocacy for girls’ education.
