LAHORE: The Idara-i-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA) in collaboration with other civil society organisations on Wednesday celebrated the award of Nobel Peace Prize to Malala Yousafzai on the International Human Rights Day based on a theme “365 days”.

A number of people, holding banners and placards, chanted slogans in favour of Malala Yousafzai for earning the prestigious award at Faisal Square in front of the Punjab Assembly. People walking through The Mall Road also joined the celebrations and sloganeering. They paid tributes to the struggle and sacrifices of Malala and enjoyed sweetmeat.

“Pakistan is lucky for having Malala – the world’s youngest Nobel Laureate,” said ITA Director Programme Dr Baela Raza Jamil.

Being South Asian Forum for Education Development (SAFED) coordinator, Dr Jamil also lauded Kailash Satyarthi for winning the prize. She said both had won the prize for risking their lives to fight for children’s rights.

She said the success of Malala had demonstrated the potential of all Pakistani children and youth. She stressed that all should pledge that “education is a fundamental right of all children”.

Having been recognised the leading spokesperson for the girls’ right to education, she said, the Nobel Peace Prize had come as an addition to the success of the young girl from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Malala has made every Pakistani incredibly proud by being the youngest person to be awarded the world’s most prestigious award,” she said.

Dr Jamil expressed her regrets that neither PTI chairman Imran Khan nor the KP government had given a single statement to laud the Pashtun girl’s achievement.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2014