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Word on the street: “What was Malala’s sin?”

Dawn.com Published October 10, 2012
Bina, a banker, says "We can't expect anything from this ignorant government, there is nothing they can do - things have gotten worse in this regard since they came into power... We hope that Malala gets better soon and recovers."
Bina, a banker, says "We can't expect anything from this ignorant government, there is nothing they can do - things have gotten worse in this regard since they came into power... We hope that Malala gets better soon and recovers."
Ali Khan, an economics college graduate says "This case should be investigated thoroughly, and the attack condemned as much as possible. Steps should be taken to collaborate with local government to depoliticise the law enforcement and end militant activity. It is clear that these people are against education."
Ali Khan, an economics college graduate says "This case should be investigated thoroughly, and the attack condemned as much as possible. Steps should be taken to collaborate with local government to depoliticise the law enforcement and end militant activity. It is clear that these people are against education."
Saeed Afridi, a business contractor says "Malala is an asset for our future, she could have brought so much for us as a country. Such people do not come often, we will need people like her to make a better future. I pray to Allah that she recovers and regains her health."
Saeed Afridi, a business contractor says "Malala is an asset for our future, she could have brought so much for us as a country. Such people do not come often, we will need people like her to make a better future. I pray to Allah that she recovers and regains her health."
Zubair Khan, a cobbler says "The government should work harder against Talibanisation. No country can progress without education because it is essential to progress. Attacking students is an extremely condemnable act."
Zubair Khan, a cobbler says "The government should work harder against Talibanisation. No country can progress without education because it is essential to progress. Attacking students is an extremely condemnable act."
Behram, an unemployed customer at a newspaper stand said "The media seems to have no trouble reaching the TTP, they can find them and ask them questions - So why can't the government find them? Why don't they take action against them? Malala is our daughter, our sister, she belongs to Pakistan. What was her sin? My message to the government is 'Think of something other than your seats of power. Don't be blind! Open your eyes! Lest these waters overwhelm you!'"
Behram, an unemployed customer at a newspaper stand said "The media seems to have no trouble reaching the TTP, they can find them and ask them questions - So why can't the government find them? Why don't they take action against them? Malala is our daughter, our sister, she belongs to Pakistan. What was her sin? My message to the government is 'Think of something other than your seats of power. Don't be blind! Open your eyes! Lest these waters overwhelm you!'"
Abbas Ali, who works at a restaurant says "This is a huge loss for women. The government should ensure that this doesn't happen again. Women are our mothers, our daughters and the greatest of our teachers. We must give them their rights!"
Abbas Ali, who works at a restaurant says "This is a huge loss for women. The government should ensure that this doesn't happen again. Women are our mothers, our daughters and the greatest of our teachers. We must give them their rights!"
Amal, a student who did not want to be photographed said "We must end this terrorism, but I don't think I have any hope from the government. "
Amal, a student who did not want to be photographed said "We must end this terrorism, but I don't think I have any hope from the government. "
Alishpa, a teacher who did not wish to be photographed said "The government should take care of her medical and health concerns now, and support her in her uncertain future. I pray to Allah for her health."
Alishpa, a teacher who did not wish to be photographed said "The government should take care of her medical and health concerns now, and support her in her uncertain future. I pray to Allah for her health."

A day following the attack on teenaged Malala Yousufzai, Dawn.com stepped out in Karachi to absorb the word on the street. And there were no surprises. From students to restaurant owners, cobblers and teachers, all of the people interviewed voiced their condemnation for the attack and questioned the government’s failure to prevent such acts of terror. “If the Taliban can speak to the media, why is it so hard for the government to catch them,” they asked. Some called the teenager from Swat their daughter and their sister. Others highlighted the importance of education and people like Malala who promote it, in this fight against terror and ignorance. - Photos by Zehra Naqvi, interview by Nadir Siddiqui /Dawn.com

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Comments (16) Closed
petrus
Oct 10, 2012 11:19pm
Her sins are twofold: First, she was born in Pakistan Second, she was born female T
Recommend 0
V. Sreenivas
Oct 11, 2012 05:25pm
The price of keeping silent and not opposing backward looking policies is to be goverrned by bad people. I hope people all over the world wake up and question all religious dogmas and tenents just as we question in science. May God restore Malala to good health soon.
Recommend 0
AK
Oct 11, 2012 05:45pm
Why Nawaz and Bilor not coming out and talking against Talaban. They are with us or with them?
Recommend 0
S Kumar
Oct 11, 2012 07:45am
All those, who are slightly educated declined to be photographed, but those who are into professions, which does not need very high level of education were in fact more bold and very unambiguously condemned the shooting of Malala.
Recommend 0
Amistad
Oct 11, 2012 07:21am
as a nation just like we stood up united in protest against the blasphemous acts recently, we should not neglect this threat to our nation's sabotage and again should step up in protest united. If government can not hold peace talks with Taliban - we should stand against them to deliver the peace message of Islam for a paradign shift. Media is requested to bring this forward.
Recommend 0
G.A.
Oct 11, 2012 12:14pm
@Cyrus Howell - Wrong. Solution is to take away guns and improve the police force. Citizens will have to take responsibility. More guns are never the solution. Look at the gun crime in the U.S. If it weren't for the powerful gun lobby, American people would've changed the constitution by now. It's not the Wild West anymore. Or is it?
Recommend 0
Nitesh Shrivastava
Oct 11, 2012 08:24am
I praying to God for Malala. God save her life and give power to fight against Taliban.
Recommend 0
Saeed
Oct 10, 2012 09:58pm
Pakistan law and system has nothing to do with that.i why don't you ashamed to call Muslim
Recommend 0
Urwatul Wusqa
Oct 11, 2012 07:37am
i agreed with petrus, her sin is jux she was born female......
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Kosam
Oct 10, 2012 05:03pm
Please introspect and see what moderates like you have been doing. Not raising voice and keeping silent when chaos is engulfing you is also equivalent to supporting these people.
Recommend 0
G.A.
Oct 11, 2012 12:01pm
@petrus - Absolutely wrong. People like Malala have existed throughout history and every nation has them. Sometimes, circumstances force them to step up. Do you have what it in you?
Recommend 0
MAK
Oct 10, 2012 03:35pm
Enough is Enough. I am ashamed to call myself a Pakistani.If this is what Pakistan was made for.
Recommend 0
SAM (@ithinkblog)
Oct 10, 2012 05:24pm
The world stands with Malala and all Pakistanis that stand with her...
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Cyrus Howell
Oct 11, 2012 11:34am
Every man in Pakistan should own a gun to protect himself and his family that's my advice. Be responsible for your own lives. It should be clear to all by this time the government of Pakistan cannot protect you. In some instances the authorities are not even trying.
Recommend 0
Farrukh mahmood
Oct 10, 2012 04:52pm
It is time that we should unite against these beasts
Recommend 0
Sha Kha
Oct 11, 2012 02:40am
We need to unite and condemn these barbarian, backward tactics. These indivduals have no backbone. She has more bravery in her pinky than the entire Taliban clan. let's defeat this scourge.
Recommend 0

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