Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai returned to her childhood village in Shangla, Pakistan. This visit marked her first return in 13 years. Previously, militants attacked her life when she was 15.
At 15, Malala faced a life-threatening attack. Moreover, Taliban militants ambushed her on a bus. Subsequently, the attack occurred in Swat Valley near the Afghanistan border.
She rarely visited the valley after the incident. However, she had not returned to Shangla until now.
On X, she expressed her joy. She recalled playing by the river during every holiday in Shangla. Furthermore, she cherished shared meals with her extended family. She hopes to visit again and again.
Her visit lasted three hours. She traveled by helicopter with her father, husband, and brother. Security measures ensured a high level of safety. Additionally, authorities sealed off the area for several hours. Moreover, she visited local education projects backed by the Malala Fund. Local security remained discreet during her visit. Officials kept her visit secret to ensure safety. Even locals were unaware of her plans.
Malala Yousafzai defied militants and pursued education. She secretly attended school despite orders to stay home. Subsequently, she blogged about her experiences. Her determination made her a leading education activist. At 17, she won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Recently, she addressed Muslim world leaders in Islamabad. At the conference, she urged action against the Afghan Taliban. Additionally, she criticized their ban on teenage girls’ education.
Her visit coincided with rising violence in Pakistan. A suicide attack killed 18 civilians and soldiers. For example, an attack occurred in Bannu recently. Furthermore, Malala prayed for peace throughout Pakistan. She expressed heartbreak over the recent violence.
