We also like being overly sentimental....Why cast all Pakistanis in this light? There are plenty of us who are not anything like the picture you paint.

You put it right, kiddo....quote 'Like a mother of a particularly rebellious child, you must find a way to love them nonetheless.' However when you further go on to say 'Eventually, I pray, they will understand.' That I definitely would not count on.

Absolutely beautiful and well articulated. Thank you.

Loved it! proud of our Nobel Dyad!

very true Dr Talat! Pakistani nation does not know how to honor her heros. Hatred, jealousy, bigotry and believing in conspiracy theories is norm of life. Victim mentality and blaming others is prevalent in the society. No hope of any positive change.

Thoughtful insight into the psychology of a nation that does not like heroes and wants to be pitied for its sores that it displays like beggars do to evoke pity .......... something is seriously wrong.

very true i still find people abusing Malala And Dr Abdul salam on social networks. I remember in our school days the win of Dr salam was celebrated but now He can neither call Himself Pakistani nor He can visit his homeland

Excellent

The obscurantists will soon be flooded and overwhelmed by those wanting to be modern ,rational and those wanting a change.

Great writing Mr. Faraz.

very sad! This nation doesn't deserve gems like u. sad state of affairs!

So we should only make those heroes if they are validated by western awards?

So well put together. It takes some imagination to think of writing this article. Thanks it was good read. Our society needs to come out of being the custodians of religion and let everyone live their lives within their beliefs and help each other as members of the society. All the issues in Pakistan, they disappear in USA. We all get along fine with all of our colleagues at work (regardless of the denomination of race, color, gender, religion). All we do is to try to be productive and innovate along the way. Socially we should pool our resources together and make a movement to come out of these dark ages of fundamentalism and march towards humanism. Keep on writing these articles, we will bring change one article and voice at a time. Thanks.

Can we reconsider to honor Professor Abdus Salam.

Even if the whole world believe in lie "Sun rises from the west" or "Malala is a hero", I will stand with the truth

I loved the blog, Specially the way you have described the hatred and idiocy of our own countrymen towards Malala. Thank you!

Well two Noble laureates from Pakistan, the first was declared a Non Muslim, and the second can't put her foot in Pakistan. Also some news channels were reporting the her biography is banned in KPK.

Sad but true. Well written.

This is a wonderful article, thank you for it. I am not from Pakistan, but I am very proud of Dr. Salam, his incredible work, and Malala and her incredible strength. Pakistan and the sub-continent is lucky have these individuals be born here.

Good blog. I saw a quote from German musician Johannes Brahms that sums up the mentality of those who rejected Dr. Salam and are now making efforts to belittle the little girls resolve in life. "Those who enjoy their own emotionally bad health and who habitually fill their own minds with the rank poisons of suspicion, jealousy and hatred, as a rule take umbrage at those who refuse to do likewise, and they find a perverted relief in trying to denigrate them".

This brought tears to my eyes, and let me tell you not much does. Thank you for your words. They are needed.

Faraz, in a country that honors cricketers , politicians who blame , complain and accuse others without showing any decent evidence , it should not be a surprise that leading columnists of newspapers and the so called senior journalists would declare her book a blasphemy . As long as people that this nation honors we will not learn how to honor people who are of real worth to be honored ! Since Nobel has been awarded to people in the past who were dubious , including the peace prize to Obama , I don't think Nobel achievement should be the wake up call , wake up call should be the support from the so called educated class of Pakistan for the barbarians who would not even allow girls to go to school ,

What a materpiece !!! .Well Written man .God bless you. Keep Writing true thing .

"You were mocked and alienated by your countrymen, when you did nothing wrong." This is such a true statement, I was surprised when I read a piece by one of the editors of a newspaper when he maligned Malala for receiving this award. I am sure the forward thinking people of Pakistan will appreciate Malala's courage and the recognition that she got from all over the world. In the same context Dr. Abdus Salaam should also be given his due in Pakistan, irrespective of his religious beliefs. He was and is and will be a Pakistani and nobody can take that away from him. Thank you Faraz.

@Mubashir Mian Sir your comment was also well thought through and reflected my sentiments to the point that it was unnecessary to write any further. I only hope and pray that this become the attitude of the majority in Pakistan.

We love you Dr Salam and Malala. Dr Salam, we dont care what your beliefs are, you are and will always be our hero.

Thank you, Dawn, for another masterpiece -- and, in my opinion, a truly simple, subtle and very thought provoking one. While I am sure those on the Pakistani side of the divide will have a lot to reflect on, and while I doubt any Indian would ever behave as barbarically towards a little girl who only wanted an education for herself and other girls like her, as the Taliban did, we have our fair share of absolute idiots on the Indian side too. Remember that Bajrang Dal type, Dara Singh (as I recall that was his name), who murdered that Australian preacher (Graham Stein?) and his young son or sons? What about those people who butchered hundreds in that Assamese village (Nelli?) about three or four decades ago? And then we have numerous riots, and not just in Delhi and Gujarat, that have never really been investigated conclusively and will probably never be. It is time we all spent some time on thinking introspectively and retrospectively on what we were, what we are and what we can possibly become, in a prospective sense.

Sir, your article brings tears to my eyes. We had a lovely country rich with natural resources yet how all it is plundered leaving nothing for common person. Politician are looting us in the name of democracy and religions leaders in the name of religion. Sadly our politicians have nothing to do with democracy, they are in it only for their good. Similarly our religious leaders can only spread hate and bigotry only to increase their popularity. All these political and religious leaders will loose if common person is educated and can see through their facade. This is the reason, no politician or religious leader puts any effort for education. We as a nation should be proud of Dr. Abdus Salam and Malala. We shouldn't forget to mention Malala's parents. Specially her father (of course with her mother's help), he is the person who groomed and guided her. See the expressions on his face when Malala was giving her famous speech in the united nations, you could see the love and the pride. Sir, you almost lost your daughter but Allah SWT had other plans for your daughter. She is your daughter, but I feel all sincere Pakistan's should call her their own daughter and be proud of her.

@Tahir Khan : You are so right. Lets make Haqqanis and Mehsuds our heroes. That will bring us acclaim.

@Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali : If each person can honor him in his/her heart, that's all that's required.

There is no comparison between Dr. Salam & Malala. The way the world has acknowledged Malala is unparalleled

@Mubashir Mian so true .essentially respect the talent of anyone. respect the right of religious beleifs. respect the equal right every human being.

Thank you for an excellent article!

Love it!!! All the respect and honour for Dr. Abdus Salam and Malala. Infact, both are victims of Pakistan's worst enemy, enemy that exists among us with 1400 year old backward mind.

What a country. People not celebrating the Nobel prize but a lot of people celebrate the fact that we've successfully out casted her /-

@Tahir Khan The Nobel Price is not a Western award, but a World award given for remarkable and outstanding human services. Malala is a Pakistani, she's proud of that (it's what she tells each time she speaks, I believe her), and she's always a muslim though she lives now in England, you know why. Congratulate her, she deserves the price because she fights for girls' education and equality of rights not only for girls in your own coutry, but for girls and boys in all coutries of this world. If I was you, I would be really proud of her. As a French Canadian, I am !

A sad commentary for a nation carved out for hope and peddled as paradise !

a sad reality. Very well written

"I decided that working abroad was better than being treated as foreigner in my own homeland. That only gave further wind to the hurtful theories about me being a ‘traitor’ to my country."

With great respect, you decided and you left, its not about the prize dearest Abdus Salam.

Heart wrenching but so true. Well done.

Cut it out. she havent done not much. just Govt wanted to cash it and they did it. Govt just used this little girl. nothing else much.

at the end the just won the award.

@Tahir Khan No you should've made her a hero long ago. It is only sad that the west bothered to recognize her before you ever did.

@Moona: Its not about being sentimental. Rather about whether Malala's contributions were more than other people out there. Can she be compared to Eidhi Sahb?

Dr. Salam is my hero. Shame on those who failed to honor him for his accomplishments. Why do we fail to recognize excellence.

Excellent piece

I cannot say how pleased I am to read this article. We are proud of you Malala and we are even more proud of Dr. Abdus Salam. Not only because he was the first Nobel laureate, he is also the sole science Nobel laureate of the entire muslim world. Moreover, Salam always travelled on his Pakistani passports although he was offered citizenship in UK and twice in Italy. I wonder if Malala would also take the path of Salam and remain a Pakistani to her end.

One thing is for certain, Pakistan must learn to acknowledge its modern heroes and we are such a lucky nation that we have thousands of them. There are countries who would struggle and would not be able to produce a Salaam or Malala. Finally, Faraz has hit the needle and he is bang on target. We do not want to stand with our head and shoulders high and claim our place in the comity of nations. We want to be belittled, pitied and even abused sometimes. Our post colonial masters want us to be that way. And mind it these masters are not foreign they are very much around each one of us.

Well written. Very well written indeed. You are one of the few that Pakistan has. May your kind grow!

@Tahir khan......Standards are adopted for those that solves people common problems and brings prosperity, rule of law and tolerance for peaceful co-existance. Standards are not adopted from those who believe in intolerance, and violence.

Excellent article and a very true picture that depicts in this article about the current affairs of pakistan that was built by great leaders who sacrificed a lot along with the millions of lives that were lost during this process. We have brilliant people in our country and I happen to few at a very personal level but sad to say we do not have real fans who cares about these unsung real heros who have done so much behind the scene. I pray that one day we all wake up to realize our true potential and take our right place in the world affairs. Reading this article does depicts the dark picture of pakistan but I am positive there is a light at the end of tunnel and we will prevail one day

@Moona Don't be afraid or shy to be painted in the true colours. Pakistan has and is doing a great disservice to its sons and daughters by honouring them for their fame in the world. There are very few who are applauding. You can count them on your finger tips.

Thanks Dr. Abdus Salam for this letter. May you rest in peace. You were a shining light into the darkness of our country.

@Youth you are still a youth from your comments. You can't compare the two one is Nobel Laureate in Physics other is in Peace. But you certainly can compare that both of them were acknowledged worldwide. Since you are a youth, you weren't even born then! Like me!

Thank you Dr. Abdus Salam and Malala.

Bravo!! Malala, you made us proud. We should celebrate this. She is our national hero. Malala was doing something good for the children of Swat in her own modest capacity. Two years back she was brutally attacked by Terrorists and luckily survived. I have one Question for those who do not support Malala -- Do they justify the attack? if no, then why not to support and praise this young girl who is doing something good and extraordinary.

Youth! and all others,

please remember that Mr. Abdus Salam was a great scientist, i am that he was born in Pakistan, if he was born anywhere else in the world, he might have earned the true respect he deserved. Malala is no doubt very brave but there is a lot of difference between bravery and wisdom.

THE WORDS THAT DR. SALAM WAS NOT ONLY-- BUT THE FIRST- NOBLE PRIZE WINNER, IS GREAT VISION OF A GREAT MAN. THE HONOUR WORLD GAVE TO DR. SALAM WILL REMAIN FOR EVER IN SHAPE OF THE INSTITUTE IN TRIESTE FOR THE DEVELOPEMENT OF PHYSICS.

HOWEVER MALALA IS CONGRATULATED FOR SHE IS HONOUR FOR MY COUNTRY.

Dear Sir, Sentimental writing!! Indeed you have pointed out the facts as well, thank you. However, please note who and how Malala was saved from this horrible criminal act of gun shot in her head? Initially Pakistani establishment and with selfless brilliant Doctors did all they could with the equipment that is available in Pakistan. Then she was sent to the best treatment facility all paid for by Pakistani government!! I am not saying this is great, simply this was the responsibility and they fulfilled that responsibility in the case of Malala. However, there are thousands dies everyday in Pakistan and no one cares.

Abdus Salam should have been respected, honored and welcomed by Pakistan.

@Ashok R.Prabhu . I hope you are right sir.

I am an Indian and somewhat aware of the situation in Pakistan. This letter by Dr. Abdus Salam almost brought tears in my eyes. Pakistan should respect and decorate these two great personalities as these kind of pearls are very rare in south Asia, instead they are outcasted from their own motherland just because of their believes and ideology. Government's inaction is partly responsible and sometime I think, the people of Pakistan are also equally responsible for their plight as they are are not supporting and standing with the cause of such great personalities.

Very well written.

Brilliant and sad. My heartily congratulation to Doc. Faraz. My Irish friends used to say (for Irish people): „All our wars are happy and all our songs are sad“. We Pakistanis are not far from it. We have the mentality of users. It is no wonder we (as nation) hate the winners among us. We have a suicidal tendency of pull down who have climbed up, instead of following their example and their successful path.

Both Pakistanis are deserving of their award. I admire Abdus Salam because he achieved in spite of bigotry and discrimination around him, I admire Malala because she stood for the rights of Pakistani girl for whom hardly anyone has ever spoken about. You are my heroes, you are my inspiration, you are my role model and I will for sure tell my Children about you. I hope that in next few years Pakistan produces thousands of Abdus and thousands of Malala.

Indeed a unique county that is the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Where Nobel prize winner are banished from homeland, where the polio virus is safe but health workers and doctors fighting the virus are killed and the killers are labelled as "our brothers".

Very proud of you two. You two are the light for the new generation. Please keep up the good work for this nation, you have two have replaced the face of Pakistan from being a terrorist country to being a Place of Dr. Salam and Ms. Yousufzai.

Thanks for writting this letter . Great job.

Absolutely spot on.

I am afraid if Salam would have written this-sure he would be the first to congratulate Malala!! I understand and respect of your views and sentiments. Salam was a giant scientist of our era and he served many nations and he care least how he was seen and read, he love his mother land. I met many Pakistani who are very kind and very caring and tolerant. Yes, it is also fact of life we lacks in many areas, discrimination is not a new, it burned South Asia one way or the other. Seventy percept still lives in villages and they have no idea what Noble Prize means to them and they would have never heard of Salam and Malala. Please do not take any offense but what you see in the news is a part of the story but not the whole story. It is a great start for our nation and we hope for the best. Lets focus on our education system and avoid war-which we can not afford to have and keep on working about a common objectives. Slavery, discrimination and abuse of power are still part of our society.

This is so sad! I had no idea that the great Dr. Abdus Salam was also treated so badly in Pakistan even after winning one of the highest honors in the world. What is wrong with Pakistanis? Why do they demonize their heros & the people who can be the best ambassadors of their country?

WOW!..you have put majority of the nations psyche in this article.i wish and pray that one day this nation will understand that the greatness lives on the other side of bigotry!!!.thank you for a great article!!!.

@Mubashir Mian

Well said.

@Tahir Khan (quoting you): "So we should only make those heroes if they are validated by western awards?"

Your cynicism missed the point by many miles.

The point is this. Why doesn't your society validate those heroes by your society's rewards?

One was an Ahmadi who was scorned and threatened in his own land. The other is a girl who was shot in the head by an outfit that has also killed thousands of others in her country, and would try again if she returned.

Maybe you ought to admit, as much as it hurts your ego, that the "western" world offers two things you can only complain about. They are: proper recognition for tasks done for humanity; and some personal safety to at least live without the ever-present danger of being killed.

So very well written...albeit heart breaking. Keep writing...those de-sensitise by hate and negativity, those who can't be happy for proud for Pakistan need to be pricked and prodded from time to time. Keep writing!

The image we have of Prof Salam is wrong. As a young man he was a secular and lot not at all religious. He liked whiskey and it was said he kept a bottle in his office for guests. He was clean shaven and was not all particular whether the food he ate was halal. He had an English second wife and he let her live her life according to her beliefs. In fact his wife was a professor at Oxford and she was an atheist. It was only in the 1970's with the increasing persecution of Ahmadis that he became more outwardly religious. It is an irony that perplexed many of his friends and colleagues. It is a sad fact of his psychology that being constantly under attack and vilified by his own countrymen made him want to be more patriotic and Islamic. I am not criticizing Prof. Salam and I do know what I would do if I was under attack like him. Actually I am a also a liberal secular. He is was one of the leading physicists of the 20th century and without doubt the greatest Pakistani ever.

Beautiful.

Malala shall endure.

You said it, Sir. We do need a change in our thinking we must stop pretending to be an oppressed and challenged lot of people. Faith has a place in out hearts. It doesn't represent how we educate or live our life.

It is really shame that both of our nobel prize winners couldn't stay in their own country, really proud of both of them, we already lost one hopefully we will not going to loose her talents. Wish her all the success in her future plans. Sheraz Khan

We, as a nation, have a suicidal tendency to pull down who have climbed up, instead of following their example and their successful path.

right depiction of this stereo type Nation.....we as a Nation have not grown up yet. I wish we as a Nation be patient and peaceful and acknowledge the services of people who did something great for this country.

Why the scare quotes around colonialists and imperialists? Undoubtedly we have a real problem taking responsibility for ourselves but anyone who wants to pretend that the colonization of the subcontient had no long lasting effects is a fool. Imperialism is a weapon that bleeds you long after it has been removed from your gut. We are still suffering from that wound. It has something to do with our response to Malala, and we should work to change that response. But we shouldn't need scare quotes around colonialists or imperialists, as if any of their crimes against us were imagined.

Thanks Faraz Talat for writing such a clear, heartfelt and poignant piece. Its a work of great imagination and moral clarity. Keep up the fantastic work.

Putting aside what media depicting her, what I know about malala is based on film aired by western media that became the reason of her fame and taliban attack too; wherein I found her disgracing Pakistan, hating Pak army and calling western forces for help and the thing only worth praising was her acting as a main character and her father's ties with Americans. Concluding this nation has nothing to do with her other than sympathies for falling victim of taliban as hundreds of other Pakistani girls

An excellent, befitting epitaph to the young Malala! Envy, spiteful 'trait' that our nation seemed have harnessed towards those fellow countrymen/women that place our country in the spotlight for all the good reasons!

"When ever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect" (Mark Twain).

@Tahir Khan Malala had won the First National Youth Peace Prize awarded to her by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. She was first recognized by us. Just be proud

@Moona : not plenty. If there were; Dr Salam would not have to face what he faced in life...

@Moona Considering the ubiquity of anti-Malala sentiment, it's clear that we're doing something wrong as a nation, and not just individually as 'bad apples'.

Well written.

I am delighted to read your article.

''Like a mother of a particularly rebellious child, you must find a way to love them nonetheless. Eventually, I pray, they will understand"

One can't explain it better than this quote what Dr. Salam Sb went through and today history is repeating itself in form of Miss Malala.

Only if authorities had acted to shun those voices that were raised based on religion differences to barren a world renown scholar from establishing world class sceintific institutes to promote education in Pakistan. Alas, the wound inflicted on Pakistan then by authorities, and its very own people has worsened so much that now it seems beyond recovery.

Great piece of writing and everything sounds so true but so hurtful at the same time..what a nation!!

Well said Dear Salam sir, no matter how many more noble prizes you count we know is that you are the first noble prize holder and you are the hero of the nation and will remain.We love you Dr. Salam.

Immensely well written and a stark reminder of how many if not most of us treat our heroes.

Dr Abdus Salam was the first Muslim Nobel laureate and this pride came to Pakistan or not for that matter. On his gravestone it was written as such 'first Muslim laureate' but Pakistan erased the word Muslim to make him the first Nobel laureate!

Nice..........we are a nation that is forever looking for a hero......and when one does show up we are incapable of recognising her / him.

Beautifully written.

Congratulations to Malala!! Many of sentimental- Slam was a genius and world hero-his contributions will have a long lasting effect. Pakistani is a great nation and we have a very diverse community and we are learning how to live together. Many many educated people admire what Salam had done! I am afraid if this was Salam quest to share his views with Malala! We welcome this award and she is welcome to live in Pakistan, if she elect to do so.

While I found the article imaginative and thought provoking, I disagree with "As a nation, we do not want to be celebrated. What we wish for, is to be pitied." This is too pessimistic for those millions of Pakistanis focusing on their daily lives, teaching their young ones a life of live-and-let-live, proud of their national heroes/heroines and fervently praying that this sad chapter of religious extremism will soon blow away. The author misses the basic fact that often, heroes like Dr. Salaam and Malaia get tinged by the prevailing politics. I know scores of Pakistanis first hand and many more through media, like Dawn, who want to practice their religion without violence and live peacefully with their neighbors. I am confident that this religious extremism will pass in due course. In the mean time, I remain certain that thousands of Pakistanis will keep striving for religious reforms, modernization and inclusive advancement.

We proud of both of our nobel persons and belive that there are many more in our nation. I agrer with Dr. Talat that we will count more in future.God bless You Malala.

I agree with Dr. Talat and belive that there are many more hidden nobles people in our nati.on and we will count more like Dr. Abdus Salam and Malala

You forgot to mention Prof. Salam, that you had to earn it.

Very well written article. Thank you. But big majority of Pakistanis ... like 90% are happy and congratulate Malala on this great achievement. only the remaining 10% the extremists who were against Dr. Abdul Salam because of his religious beliefs are also against Malala. You cannot convince 100%. When I was in Brunei Dr. Abdul salam was called by Brunei Govt. to host lectures. Pakistan Embassy hosted a party for him ... I am honored to be part of it and have a very nice portrait with Dr. Abdul Salam. I have no doubt to say that Dr. Abus Salam is father of Pakistan's Nuclear Programme.

Brilliant!!!

Well written. I think our definition of Hero has changed. We consider Hero who pleases out self centered motives not the one who has done something for all of us. We define Heroes from there religious believes or from there place of birth not from there achievements. Many of Big scientists in United states are not christians but in spite of they being vocal about there religious believes they were praised for there work and contribution to there nation. Sadly our this attitude of not recognizing and not praising our Heroes lead to a major brain drain and frustration among those who deserve the respect. Most unfortunate thing is that we don't even know who are our Heroes as we only debate on those personalities who are declared heroes buy some western nation. This moral decline in our overall national mentality of not recognizing our heroes is worst then the economic and social decline that we are facing. Dr Abdus Salam and Malala do deserve our deepest appreciation.

I stand by you Malala and I salute your courage. One day we will get out of this mess and smile inshAllah.

So true! But this is the problem of all the hypocrites who call themselves Muslims and unfortunately our homeland has an abated supply of them. Much be said but... May Allah help us!!

Pakistan has outcasted two of the greatest patriots we have ever produced , - totally shameful

Absolutely spot on!!!

Great work..it feels ad if you have put our feelings in words

Bravo for this excellent article!

Loved your tribute to Dr Abdul Salam and Malala.

My profound respects to Dr Abdul Salam first and then to Malala

well written dr. you have touched a very sensitive nerve in our nations psychie. we need to learn to tolerate each Pakistani,rich or poor,healthy or sick and most of all musloms or non muslims.it can only come as aresult of education and leadership. and we lack these two aspects enormously.

A lot of Pakistanis who are negative about these two does not mean majority is. Like any nation Pakistanis have both yays and nay sayers.Majority is not nays. People saying negative things about either of Nobel Laureates have psychological issues and feel jealous and that is very natural as they could not achieve anything in life and think they can get more than what fate offers them. Yes, Pakistani rulers are like that because they do not want the nation to stand up to them. That is why all the 'political' parties stood against Imran as he has tried to break that status quo. Dr. Abdus Salam was pride of Pakistan. People should go to Nobel website and read his speech. Like him Malala, Allah give her long life, is chosen by Allah so who are these nay sayers who do not understand meaning of Iman.

I am proud of both Dr . Abdul Salam and Malala Yousefzai to represent my country Pakistan in the world community. Pakistan is full of talented, hard working, faithful and sincere citizens. We are going thru a phase that is going to be a short one and nonetheless will be our history. I encourage everyone to stay steadfast and persevere as you have been the last twenty years or so. Pakistan is going to be and will be the shining city on the hill. Pakistan Zindabaad.

Very well said, I was totally flattered after having that read. Hats off to those who have the ability of transferring their thoughts on paper through a pen.

Cheers Faraz !

Impressive imagination Doc sahb, Its bad luck of the nation that they always wish their people to be victorious but when they delight the country with the greatest success they disown them.

Beautiful!...

Beautiful.

@ishaq dear countryman Dr Muhammad Abdus Salam passed away in 1996. His defaced grave is in Rabwah, pakistan.

Dear Dr Salam and Ms Malala:

Dr. Salam letter to you is great piece of advice. My darling can you imagine, inspite of disgrace his motherland has lugged with, brave he still mentioned that Pakistan two Nobel Laureate. He is great man, loves his country, helped numerous scientists from Pakistan. However, no reciprocity from his country. He does not care. He loves his country. My child pay attention to his valuable advice. I wish I could help to return to your motherland free of apprehensions and live like a beautiful Swati young woman. May one day you might find peace and much needed freedom to return home and continue the journey you have started and happily fulfill your dream of helping others. May Allah swt bless peace in your heart, my innocent Swati Pakistani girl.

@Sana Me too Sana, I too felt like crying. What a shame, I am not a Pakistani but what must be going in Malala's mind that I have whole world appreciating my work but my own country is rejecting me and not allowing me to come to my own country.

Well done Talat. This one is from the heart.

Simply outstanding!!!! One day i hope all Pakistani start looking people as human first.

@Tahir Khan : so for you an award given by 1st world country to 3rd world country person is not an achievement.

Sentiments and nothing else, totally bypassing the real discussion. Malala you have to know who your real friends are from the people around you and what interests they have from you. Mark these words, you are being prepared for something big, be sure its at least your own choice, and then, that its the right choice.

Something is majorly wrong in this country.... Qadeer Khan is a media darling but Abdu Salam is a traitor. Doomed.

What a touching letter from Dr Abdus Salam. Pakistani should celebrate with Malal. It is your loss if you do not celebrate. Hope god gives more Malal and less ISI.Peace and education will last and not hatred and war.Work together for prosperity of Pakistan.Learn from the neighbous and not fight with them.

"As a nation, we do not want to be celebrated. What we wish for, is to be pitied."

Beautifully put !

Very heart wrenching and true. The mindset of many is that they would find all the wrong in others, not acknowledge their achievements and do their character assassination. Ignore them and pray for them and seek refuge from the envy of the envious. You made us all proud, Malala. May God protect you and your family. Dr. Salaam, I apologize to you for all the pain and suffering many people of this nation sent your way. Please note that there are many of us who keep you in high esteem and thank you for the contribution you made to science, humanity and to this country even though the Government did not acknowledge much. May God bless you!

With respect,

I am writing this letter with tears in my eyes and I am a 64 years old Sunni Pakistani man living in USA for past 36 years. So much has happened to my beloved Pakistan in last decade and half either by natural disasters or destruction brought by our own people in the name of Islam that I thought my tears have dried up . But this blog has hit the chord , it's not only fanatics with a certain mindset it's a normal educated people within our society who will not give a due recognition to people who deserve . May Allah show our nation a right path.

God bless you Faraz Talat. A beautifully written letter. An honest and poignant note written on behalf of the remarkable scientist and human being, Dr. Abdus Salam. One that, I hope, gives succour to the young laureate Malala as she navigates the rocky shoals of life and fends off those who wish her harm. May she continue to bring honour to Pakistan and inspire more Salams and Malalas.

NFP style satire. Bitter yet true.....Malala may be accused of Blasphemy some day, sounds like conspiracy theory.....yes but we love conspiracy theories dont we?

Now our two governments will lose no time in giving Malala the Nishan-e-Pakistan, and Saturthy the Bharat Ratna. The outside world has forced us to rise above internal politics and bickering. Rajan

We will never be truly free till we face up to the truth of who we have become. Whenever there is violence committed by Muslims we say that Islam is the most peaceful and beautiful religion, why do we then not take back the religion from the people who have hijacked it? We do not have any modern day heroes, we consider many our enemies, we have accepted corruption as a norm. So people who want to be part of modern society must stand up and say we will not tolerate these extremists whether they are among our friends or families, we need to start electing people who belong to this century. We need to say that Malala and Dr.Salaam are the heroes of Pakistan, if we do maybe we don't have to wait for decades before the third Nobel prize winner.

Very well said. As I walked along Dr. Abdus Salam Road in Geneva, my memory failed to find Salam’s named etched on a public building or a thoroughfare in Pakistan. Obviously, he never wanted fame or fortune in his native land. He is a forgotten hero.

@Moona The writer has tried to put into words how Salam must have felt, being discriminated and humiliated by his own compatriots. Majority remained silent. Word Muslim has been rubbed off his gravestone and we remain silent. Bigotry at its best.

Indeed Prof. Salaam you did not live to see your cherished dream and things got much worse. Pakistan has emphasized the politics of exclusiveness and personal gain while it needed inclusiveness and sharing --- a trait emphasized both in its religions and culture. Injustice and despair drove people to radical and abhorrent solutions and the only countersolutions on offer served to worsen the malady. Yet hope rises when men need it most and maybe Malala and some of the brave and committed leaders in the wings with their exemplary followers are the spark that this sleepwalking nation needed to take responsibility for its destiny. Already public consciousness rises and people can take a lesson from Malala that they missed from Prof. Salaam's teachings and acts. Positive values need to be emphasized even as negative trends are gradually but surely removed. Pakistan can then take its place as a nation which nurtures all its citizens and promotes peace in the world.

Why don't we have a national Nobel Prize winners day, where these two are celebrated. Ignore the militants and the mullahs. Notice this M&M nexus has produced nothing but another M; murderers.

This article Sums it very well. The country needs to celebrate

I do not agree that Pakistan does not have its heroes or that they are not celebrated...just check the names of their ballistic missiles.

@Tahir Khan

Create an eastern standard that parallels an institution like Nobel prize committee, which will recognize and award those who are deserving of said awards. Stop bashing the West just for the sake of bashing and accept the fact that we have not endeavored to accomplish what the West has achieved.

Nobel Peace Prize 2014 for Malala has made Pakistan feel Proud! But … Reason for which The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Malala Pakistan and Pakistanis should also feel "ASHAMED OF" Because of the fact, that The Islamic Republic of Pakistan failed to provide a peaceful environment in general, and couldn’t stop unlawful suppression of rights, opportunities, education and resources available and allowed to Women in the country.

@Arkay You don't have to appreciate Malala and this article by depreciating India. You spoke about the Staines murder and Gujarat and all, but the accused have been arrested and punished. Not like the events in Pakistan. Your comments are not relevant here.

Dearest Dr. Salam: I miss you a lot. I always give your example in my lectures, in my conferences, and to my kids. I visited your birth place, your school, and always tried to think that how brave you were in defying all odds. Your work, of course is highly remarkable all over the world. However, your one picture in own dress while receiving the Nobel Prize is above to everything. You conveyed the message of "this is me, this is my town, my country dress, and I am Pakistani, no matter you own me or not, but I will always be Pakistani and proud Pakistani with tall Shimla on my turban..." Dr. Salam you will always be loved. I will always love, you are my hero.

When I see our nation and national attitude, I recall this real and practical story that gave me way to think different thereafter. A day before Eid I gave poor middle aged street beggar new clothes and a good amount of cash, as I wanted him to be happy as others are and will be. I expected that he will be grateful and tomorrow I'll see a different person enjoying life and Eid festivities. I got cool feeling within myself, "I am doing the right thing at right moment and have put my share towards my philanthropic attitude". What is it? The next day when I saw that the same beggar was in dirtiest outfit than yesterday, looking and acting more miserable than yesterday and chanting new striking and heart breaking slogans. The moment I came out of the freeze, I realized that with all this getup he is getting more cash than yesterday. He was collecting money from all directions and it was obvious that by the end of the day he will collect money far beyond than his months income. Next day I encountered him again but he looked less enthusiastic and little tired, I smiled at him but instead ignoring and moving on, I paused a bit and offered little cash. There you go, he got his hidden energy that rushed him to my cars driver side window...

very nicely written. cannot fathom why an honour like this would resonate so badly within the country that should embrace it as some good news within a myriad of bad.

Agreed! We don't need heroes, we need awards to show-case them because we are the best in the world!

Bohot Achay Faraz Sahib. Indeed this is heart touching.

Mona wake up and smell the coffee 10 of 10 Pakistani believe that Malala shooting was staged. 1 out 100 probably just believe and support Malala's cause.

Great piece of writing, I am just concern of writer's safety in the Islamic Republic Of Pakistan

God bless you Faraz Talat. A beautifully written letter. An honest and poignant note written on behalf of the remarkable scientist and human being, Dr. Abdus Salam. One that, I hope, gives succour to the young laureate Malala as she navigates the rocky shoals of life and fends off those who wish her harm. May she continue to bring honour to Pakistan and inspire more Salams and Malalas.

@Modi They are called "the silent majority." But you have the veil of prejudice over your eyes.

Let us resolve to take Islam back from the thugs and rogues who go around parroting "Islam" while doing the most devilish of things. Let us resolve to take Pakistan back from the thugs who go around parroting "Supreme National Interest" while carrying out the most treacherous actions.

Faraz. You the man.

@Tahir Khan Well create a prestigious award in Pakistan.

There are many Pakistanis who call Malala a hero. Instead of always discussing those who are full of hatred and jealously against her, we need to tell Malala and the world that there are also many Pakistanis who are proud of her.

Malala is a history in making. I have read her biography and I am big fan of hers.

An undeniable truth, Any person let be a man or a woman, girl or boy who tries to help the ignorant people of Pakistan is shunned by them it happened in the past it is happening now & most probably will continue to happen in the future. No wonder we are surrounded by crisis every now and then. People say we will be doomed if things continue the same way, I say we are doomed. Anyhow lets hope for the best and make efforts to find a cure for the itch of hatred against our own people.

Imaginative and well articulated.

@Moona Well, Moona, if you are not that kind of person then good for you. But your post sounds like an unseemly whine when it should have been an affirmative full-throated congratulations. But there have been enough discordant and miserly voices not celebrating this rare honor (only a handful win a Nobel Prize each year out of a total 7.3 Billion human beings!) This imagined missive was excellent and quite poignant, recounting the glories of two Pakistanis who brought honour to Pakistan. One was shunned into exile. One hopes a better more hopeful fate for Malala in her native land.

@Tahir Khan Mr. Khan, better Western awards than having no awards

Thanks you dear writer, for such a incise letter.

@Asif Kidwai Could Malala represent that light? I certainly think she does!!!!

@mba I often read in many readers' comments their wish that there was a leader in Pakistan who can lead it out of the mess it has gotten into. Well, Mr. MBA person, in Malala you have that person. She may only be 17 years /old, and a woman in a seriously patriarchal and misogynistic land. But she has everything that the leader y'all are seeking: Courage, humility, intelligence, poise, spirituality, and an international appeal and fame. She wants everyone to be educated! When did you hear any politician say that and how often and in international settings? She's done that and put her on the line. This young lady has demonstrated that. She is a leader!!Maybe Allah has sent her to Pakistan in this time of great peril to be the one who leads through unstinting inspiration and effort! Don't be drowned out by naysayers.

So true , we love u both ,it is high time that the nation acknowledge the achievements of both Dr Salam and Malala (the pride of Pakhtuns) , they must be included in circulla

Absolutely marvelous... loved the idea... every word nothing but true.

@Rizwan Ali You are comparing apples with oranges as they say. Mr. Edhi's work is commendable in its own respect and Malala's on its own account. One has made a huge difference with a worthy cause in our own country and the other's work has impacted on a global scale. It doesn't necessarily mean one is greater than the other but today the world is celebrating Malala's contribution so let's join the celebration.

I simply loved your blog. You both(Dr. Abdus Salam and Malala) are our heroes. We don't care of the illiterate minds who don't know the value of diamonds.

Zinda baad, Malala. We love you and your thoughts. May Allah swt guide you in your activities. Aameen

Beautifully sums up the ugliness of hatred in our country.

No matter what views my countrymen hold about Dr.Salam & Malala, these names always put smile on my face.

I almost did not read this article because i knew it's going to make feel very, very sad. It did but I am glad I read it. The article and the comments give me hope of the existence of fellow citizens who think beyond religious, cast and gender labels.Dr. Salam and Malala are our global icons who shine slightly less in their own home country. But that's ok....They don't need everyone to admire them. After all the bigots, zealots, terrorists need some followers too :)

Excellent...this is an awesome piece of writing

Sir, this is one of the best writings that I have enjoyed. Despite every thing your hopeful conclusion makes a deeper impression. " And I am still counting." No hurdle will obstruct achievers like Malala. Hanif

A well articulated and well constructed article Dr Talat. As a nation we have degenerated badly. We have heaps of appreciation to offer to the movie actors but we have nothing to offer to our heroes, even not some words of gratitude. Your way of connecting events is mindblowing. Keep it up

I feel very pity Dr salam you are still our hero and in future to you did great work and bring Pakistan name in the top

May Allah make our heart to accept truth

Best regards

Kamran

Whatever happened to Dr sahib was very tragic. Hopefully, in naya Pakistan, we'd start to appreciate people like him for what they achieved and for not what their personal beliefs were.

Very thoughtful, such a good read. Might convert some haters too.

A well written letter that touches major issues prevalent in mismanagement of the State, in particular reference to the political condition and failure of education system at large. However, in reality I feel Dr. Abdus Salam would have written to Malala in a more encouraging tone. I don't think he would have highlighted how she would continue to be a target of the fanatics.....Maybe, just maybe she lives to make and see a better Pakistan.

Our heros are legends like Ahmed Shah Abdali, Mohamad Gauri, Mahmood Gaznavi, Bin Qasim.

Great. The departed soul of Dr. Salam (may he rest in peace) would fully endorse it.

When we pakistanis will start respecting our real heros that day will be the one when world will start giving respect to our counyry.. But i am afraid that day is not very near..

When we pakistanis will start respecting our real heros that day will be the one when world will start giving respect to our counyry.. But i am afraid that day is not very near..

@John

Christina Lamb (BBC journalist) wrote this book and contains hateful material towards Pakistan and Pakistani institutions. Her achievements are no way bigger than "actual" philanthropists like Eidhee but she is still hailed by West and their allies. I am happy that another Nobel is brought home but I sense a deep conspiracy here.

@Moona I dont believe that that is what the author of this article means to say. We have Malala. We have Dr. Abdus Salam. No doubt there are many more of the same. Often times we're too busy justifying ourselves to realise the problem and the solution extend much farther than our own frames.

This was so good!

@ahmed I appreciate your optimism. However, given the recent celebration of Prof. Atif Mian by IK and his later rebuttal, I am sorry to say that it does not sound that your "Naya Pakistan" will be any different in this respect.

Heart wrenching

@Moona he's speaking for the larger audience. Not us who already see what they both see.

The difference, of course, is that Dr. Abdus Salam got a Nobel Prize for Physics, and Malala for Peace. Physics Nobel prizes tend to reward a lifetime's work and impactful achievement (try finding a few Physics Nobel laureates where the actual achievements are under controversy). Peace prizes, particularly the ones in recent memory, tend to favor speculative, politically charged work - presidents of warring countries, political dissidents, products of fortune, etc.

That, friends, is a big difference. I have nothing against Malala, but I can think of lots of other names, Pakistani and foreigners, who'd 'deserve' this a lot more, who've had much greater impact over a much longer period of time (for e.g. even her co-recipient, Kailash Satyarthi, who most news outlets aren't even covering)

All very sad.

Dr Abdul Salam, rest assured that a high majority of your countrymen have always held great respect for you and your work. It is regretful that we have not been able to take full advantage of your immense talent. But we are fighting this war against terror and intolerance and will create an environment in our homeland where all citizens can live with pride and peace - hopefully sooner than later. 21st century belongs to Malala and her generation.

The article fails to depict true picture of country, the Pakistanis, a vast majority of whom love and respect Dr. Abdul Salam as an eminent scientist. Similarly most of Pakistanis are proud of Malala for the firm stand she took for her education when she was only 11, and more so now for achieving around two dozens awards from around the world, the latest being Nobel Prize for Peace. Pakistan image should not be distorted by her own people simply because of the wrong deeds of 0.5-1% mislead people out of a big population of 180 million people.

@Mahmood Khalid Its about time that you leave this No Hope country and settle somewhere else.

@DR ahmad kamran And this nation does not need pessimists like you either.

Excellent article, couldn't agree more with every word.

At the same time, one come across very fine gentlemen & women this land produces that amazes and makes us proud.

There is something different about this country of ours, it's such a failed state yet it defies to fail.

Thank you Dr Abdus Salam & Malala, for making many of us proud.

@Bilal Ahmed West recognized her even before she did anything. Its a point to ponder.

There was no need to write such an emotionally motivated piece at this time. Why the author has brought out a non issue in lime light? newspaper authorities need to wake up. Few more Pakistanis who deserve international recognition could be Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Dr A Q Khan, Dr Saleem Uz Zaman Siddiqui, Dr Atta ur Rehman, Mr Agha Shahi, Mr Ahmed Faraz, Mehdi Hasan, Shoaib Mansoor, Jehangir Khan, Sohail Abbas, Arfa Karim F.R Khan and there are many more. International community should realize that recognizing Pakistani Men as well would bring them no harm.

great article, Dr Abdus Salaam and Malala, its true you have detractors in Pakistan, but you also have many admirers like myself. Let us not assume it is only one voice. The regressive detractors will vanish one day when time, technology and knowledge catches up with them. Whereas you two will stand out as a beacon of light on a difficult journey, a beacon that lit the way for others to follow.

only a few talk the way u wrote and incidentally they r heard and quoted more, the vast majority has a large heart, but they are quiet, appreciative of good achievements, religion is a different matter, people who oppose malala are mostly refugees from across the western border.

While there are Pakistanis who are expressing pride that one of their own received a Nobel Peace Prize, it seems that the trolls and the slime of society are the power brokers and the loudest voices in Pakistan. And over the last quarter century they have infected that country with a cancer that is slowly killing that nation. Otherwise why would there be so much animosity and hatred expressed by so many for such a notable achievement by Malala Yousafzai?

The poison that many of the rich and powerful of Pakistan peddle includes nationalism, religious extremism, racism and misogyny and the victims of these attitudes includes a majority of the population who just want to live their lives peacefully and see their lives improve.

But despite all of that you occasionally get someone like Malala who had a father that encouraged her and saw a better world for her than the one where they lived. His encouragment is what gave her the voice and determination to speak on behalf of young girls who just wanted an education. Too bad people like Malala's father aren't the ones with power in a nation that desperately needs the light of a progressive vision to push back the darkness.

While the father of Pakistan -- Mohammed Ali Jinnah -- is smiling for this young girl he has been rolling over in his grave for decades because of how his vision of a pluralistic and modern Pakistan has been perverted to become the political and economic disaster that it is. Were he alive today he would stand in opposition to the extremist, nationalist, racist and misogynist voices that seem to be the loudest in a country that desperately needs progressive minds to lead it to a brighter future.

Hopefully there are enough young people and people with a progressive vision who have the determination, energy and resilience to overcome the catastrophy that the previous generations of nationalists and extremists have transformed Pakistan into. Because if there aren't then this country will continue to lose its best and brightest to the rest of the world and it will continue to sink into a political and economic black hole until it becomes a pariah state.

Why So Many Pakistanis Hate Their Nobel Peace Prize Winner http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/10/10/a-lot-of-pakistanis-hate-their-nobel-winner.html

Why I HATE Malala Yousafzai http://www.exmuslimblogs.com/murtadjournals/blog/2013/11/21/why-i-hate-malala-yousafzai-a-guest-post-by-kunwar-khuldune-shahid/

Only Taliban hate Malala, although I doubt her sincerity a little as she raised no voice against Israeli brutality.

Dear Dr Abdus Salam, Please accept my apologies because me and people of my generation failed you and all the other heros like MAJinnah but i pray and hope that the next generation shall not let Malala down.

It is absolutely unrealistic beacause this nobel award is now totally politicised and I dont think that she deserves this award because there are hundreds of people who are dyeing daily in pakistan due to anonymous reasons nobody is least bothered about them and I can assure you that by giving some speech in the un dosent make you our national hero because you should have opted to live in pakistan instead of going to england and enjoying your life there

She is just a poster child. Edhi deserved it more than her!

Abdus Salam Sir, what a lovely letter you wrote and heart aching as well. That's the misfortune of this nation that we can never ever be united. Munafaqeen are living among us under the garb of religion, sects and provinces. Tha'ts why we can never thrive as a country and instead have become a terrible joke in the world. We speak rubbish with our rich bank balances, high education and bloated tummies with excessive food and drinks. We fear to work hard, be honest and think for the country. Abdul Sitar Edhi and Imran Khan, a couple of great people among the few were called "agents". Now it is not surprising if Malala is also called an "agent". What can one do now. In our educated and well-fed circles, people say that it is an easy way to get world fame and get citizenship by getting gang raped. I really wish that a day comes when we can think logically and humanly. Respect to you Sir and love to Malala. We are very happy for this child to have won the prize. God bless you and her.

It is absolutely unrealistic beacause this nobel award is now totally politicised and I dont think that she deserves this award because there are hundreds of people who are dyeing daily in pakistan due to anonymous reasons nobody is least bothered about them and I can assure you that by giving some speech in the un dosent make you our national hero because you should have opted to live in pakistan instead of going to england and enjoying your life there

This is so ironic and maligns a great thinker and scientist Pakistan had produced by equating him to a Western stooge whose only claim to fame is getting shot by the bad guys. While there may be thousands of unfortunate girls in Pakistan who meet this fate, Abdul Salaam is the only towering genius the nation has produced.

Pathetic, sad comparison

BRAVO! Very well written (y)

inspired by your analytical writing

@Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali, And we should also honor Chaudhry Zafarullah Khan, the first Foreign Minister of Pakistan and the only Pakistani who became the Judge of the International Court of Justice at The Hague / Holland. But you will see that as we have dishonored Chaudhry Zafarullah Khan and Prof. Dr. Abdus Salaam we are going to do the same with Malal Yousufzai the signs of which have already started appearing in all sorts of Pakistani media and comments.I pray that Mala gets the blessing of the Almighty God and is protected from all agonies and that the names of Chaudhry Zafarullah and Prof. Dr. Abdus Salaam are taken with all due respect. Pakistan Zindabad !

Next, perhaps India can celebrate when Salman Rushdie someday wins the Nobel Prize for Literature. But I am not holding my breath.

Salam, You are saying true. here is some lack, But we have hope that our country public changed their condition soon. Mr Mahmood Khalid, Here is always a hope, we must improved our condition towards positive direction due to our efforts. Wslaam.

@ishaq Dr Abdus Salam died in November 21, 1996. He's Our Hero. We are proud of him.

couldn't have said it better

@ishaq This is really a shame that due to someone's religion beliefs, he should be thrown out. Dr. Salam is a son of the soil and no one should take this right from him.

@John That's not true. I live in a city of KPK and her documentaries and news of success is on almost every TV channel.

"Don't cry for me Pakistan. The truth is I never left you".

@Me Cash what exactly?

Yes i read about dr. As. In my course book of physics. It made me proude. Then i read about him more and all the controversies. The story of malala developed in front of me. Then i saw her standing aside Rushdie. You may not like but why only those people win nobal prize who have some controversies around them in Pakistan. Or success and Pakistan are headed on opposite directions. There is no doubts bothe of these had immense personal struggles for which i congratulate. Them

This is like comparing apple from oranges. There is no comparison between Dr. A Salam and Malala. Both oranges and apples are fruits but they look, taste and smell completely different. Prof. Abdus Salam earned his Nobel by his achievements in academic skill and knowledge, while Malala is a beneficiary of political clout muscled by the west like giving Nobel to President Obama for God knows, why!. ( probably in the anticipation that he will do something good ) People might consider this comment as prejudicial but this is reality folks. Every Pakistani is proud of Malala and this can be a catalyst in making the women of Pakistan empowered. Both Dr, Salam and Malala will be celebrated Pakistani for a very long time.

Excellent write-up

Dear Dr.Abdus,

Sir - I salute you. There is but one line in your letter that I do not agree with.

Pakistan needs heroes. It needs people it can look up to - people it can admire and emulate. People who understand that for Pakistan to reach its potential, it does not need the violent young men that Pakistan appears to produce like so many weeds in a fertile field, but people like you, like Malala.

People who can show that even in an atmosphere where there is violence, paranoia and fear - there can be sprout a flower, a soul who commands the respect and admiration of the world.

If only there were more people like you and Malala, Pakistan would have become what its founder had always wished for it to be.

My hopes and prayers that people who think and act like Malala and yourself increase in number for the benefit of Pakistan.

This letter does not represent the pride and the accolade that Malala received from her country men women and children after winning the prize -- a little too morose for the jubilant occasion.

Monna, that is exactly the problem. We are the silent majority and we need to come out and stand for what is right and what is wrong. We are also responsible - to some extend - for silently suffering under these corrupt rulers. So stand up and be counted.

A thought provoking article by such a passionate and a true lover of this great nation who can produce many such laureate. Oh my beloved ones come out from your sleep and make a revolutionary change in your idealogy . Colour, creed and your religious belief should never stop the right talent to come up and grow. Let humanity be respected and treated with justice. Oh the youth of Pakistan make a resolution to free your self from those who create hate and divide your strength in firqabandi. Salam to Abdus Salam and Malala for their exemplary achivement and setting a path to be followed by others.

I must say he is absolutely 100 % right...he said it all ..

This is another example which shows The few Pakistanis who shine outside Pakistan are treated like dirt inside their own country. It's sad to read that even his burial ground was not spared in his country. I bet he regretted not moving to India where he would got respect for his talents. He come proud Rajput clan which was forced to convert centuries back. It's shame that he was treated as a pariah in his own country and his graveyard was not spared by the ruling class. sad indeed

From a brave son of Pakistan to a brave daughter. There is a Malala in every child in Pakistan and throughout the Muslim world. Let them be free. Pakistan and Muslims must come out of their siege mentality and move forward. Until then their sons and daughters with best minds will leave and reside in other places.

Let them think and act without fear. Do not let the cowards and failed ones defeat your courage.

This is DAWN's finer moments. Standing with our heroes, with fear from our villains. Good job. A good Newspaper sheds light in the darkest corners of our society and inner soul. We have many more heroes waiting to be recognized fro standing up against evil.

so true v. touching .My head hangs in shame.

Dr. Abdus Salam, is a very respectable name for Pakistan and for all Pakistanis, some of the peoples will not agree with my views but this is true that he was one of the key scientist , who made Pakistan a Nuclear power. Malala did not do any thing for Pakistan, instead she was chosen and fabricated by the CIA for their future program mes, the projects are already underway in the name of AS Aid program mes. what is the conspiracy we don't know yet but I am sure there will be . and that is the reason she is continuously awarded by the Internationally on behalf of CIA/USA.

Sir . Your repect and honour is our hearts. .......This generation has stood up against enemies of knowledge and humanity. .....We will bring our héros back to Pakistan with pride and dignity.

The fact that there are still people like the authour & other Pakistani commenters in Pakistan who are capable of introspection, makes me somewhat hopeful for Pakistan. I just hope these people are the silent majority & not minority.

How can you even compare the two? Abdul Sattar was a great scientist, who had been working in his field for more than 30 years, and Malala is not even done with high school. I, like you, sympathize with her for being shot, but that and campaigning for children education alone shouldn't be enough to get a nobel prize. Even she said recently that she doesn't deserve the prize yet, and would rather live like a normal child.

I would LOVE to find out what Malala's 'gift' is. Let's please stop harassing her and let her practice her 'gift'. I feel super bad for the kid getting shot by the taliban, but i'm sorry she has done jack all for education in pakistan so far. even her much heralded UN speech was just full of worn out cliches about pens changing the world. same story, different face. i am sure there are many real educationalists in pakistan who actually deserved this kind of recognition.

@Mahmood Khalid: I will not loose hope that's what is left for the people of this land called PAKISTAN.

It is a fact that GDP increases the farther away you go from equater. It is as simple as that.

You people will only talk and post blogs or really do something. Let's get the country back from the bigots, reglious terrorist and senseless criminals. They are scaring the honest, decent positive thinking, hard working achiever out of the country to clear the place for their criminal enclave.

beautiffful letter poring his true feelings!wish miss Malala, sucess in her endeavour to help pak. girl children to get modern education!

If I had the power to award a Nobel-like prize for truthful column writing I would award it to you Faraz Talat, wonderful writer. It made my tortured soul soar like an angel

What a pity......

dear Adus Salam and miss Malala, you both are the red diamonds of our country,we need u both. here, there is nobody who teachs us not to wage war against women empowerment.i belong to poor tehsil of khairpur mirs, here one can easily find period of jahalia examples those examples which had been at the time of abu jehl and god OOZ, here a woman cant operate a mobile nor she go for education. neither can she love nor can she work. my country, my provinces, my states, my divisions, my districts, my tehsils, my councils need u both. come and save us from disenfranchising,honor killing, form unseasoned sacrifices and merely being a feminist creature.

@The sheep will jump on that bandwagon as we'll BAAA BAAA!

Indeed fabulously penned down.. I am amazed or it may be apt to say I am stunned to see many of my compatriots considering the 17 year old noble soul who won for us the prestigious Noble prize. Many say she is a CIA agent! The brave soul who braved those who were considered to be the barbaric marauders, those whom the armies feared. How couldn't I consider her my pride who practicality showed the whole world that Islam is the religion of peace and our prophet S.W.A was its greatest pleader. How could I consider her a spy of the mercenary CIA when she says our Holy Prophet PBUH is her role model, how could I when she says he favourite personalities are Quid e Azam, Gandhi, Martin Luther. May Almighty bestow upon our drowsy nation the ability to distinguish right from wrong... May we get the sight which differentiates black and white... Salute Malala... "Tunde Bade Mukhalif Se Na Ghabra a Uqaab, Ye To Chalti Han Tujhe Uncha Urhane Key lye."

Malala should point fingers to Dr. Salam and use all her power, prestige, and resources to tell- not just fellow citizens of Pakistan but- all south Asians that all of you are one of the most brilliant people on earth like Dr. Salam is. It does not befit you to fight for petty trivial issues. You must unite and fight to create millions more Dr. Salam and Malala. You have rights over all best things in the world because you are one of the most brilliant people on earth like Dr. Salam and Malala.

It is both sad and surprising that our heroes receive noble prize whey they are abroad.

Regardless of what some Pakistanis think or believe, but for those Pakistanis, who believe in the core principles (values) of Jinnah and Iqbal, you both Dr. Abdul Slam and Malala are heroes.

We are proud of you, and always will be. You are the true face of Pakistan.

@FHN Agreed. However if Dr. Salam was alive today, the society would still persecute him, like it does to all that do not follow the majority's religious views.

FarazTalat, A letter from Dr Abdus Salam to Malala, is simply beautifully written. Sadly, I fully share the feelings.

Malala ,Pakistanis feel honored for your nobel peace prize . We wish a similar appreciation prize for Abdul sattar Edhi.

The letter so truly depicts our moral plight as a nation. We have only learned to hate and preach hate. We have never recognised Dr. Salam as a hero only because he was of a different belief, rather we have destroyed his epitaph and made the grave symbol of our hater. Likewise, Malala is not the victim of Taliban but we hate-mongers.

Two great people born to an undeserving nation.

@Muhammad Hafizullah Siddiqui (quote): "she was chosen and fabricated by the CIA for their future programmes, the projects are already underway in the name of AS Aid programmes. what is the conspiracy we don't know yet but I am sure there will be . and that is the reason she is continuously awarded by the Internationally on behalf of CIA/USA." (end quote)

She is working to free children from the fear of being punished for trying to get an education.

When those children become educated, they will not be so blind to the world around them. They will not become parrots repeating the usual blame game.

@ Patriot If you have seen the film, now look in the archives of the BBC or the Pakistan newspapers, she wrote a blog showing what it was to live under the life of the Taliban and how the Govt. did not come to their rescue. If telling the truth hurts the Taliban, so be it, they were scared of a young girl 10-11 years of age who was portraying Taliban, with their tainted beliefs, as the enemy of the people of Pakistan. To be a patriot is not to follow blindly what the government tells you but you have the right to criticize your government if an injustice is done or they do not protect their citizens.

Such a heat warming letter ! Malala one of my heroes. I read, re-read your. Each time I read it, I find a renewed confidence. Being a budding woman, you make all women proud. I truly wish a daughter of your courage. My hero Malala….way to go child, way to go. May the LORD hold you in His arms through your journey of courage

The nation should be so proud of you. You are an inspiration for the nation and it's youth. The nation should have built an institute after your name to teach future physics students. Malaala deserves equal recognition for her efforts for girls education in Pakistan. Very unfortunate that no government leaders have any courage to honor theseheros.

Is she for real? here is a transcript from her book: "Instead I am in a country which is five hours behind my beloved homeland Pakistan and my home in the Swat Valley. But my country is centuries behind this one. Here there is any convenience you can imagine. Water running from every tap, hot or cold as you wish; lights at the flick of a switch, day and night, no need for oil lamps; ovens to cook on that don’t need anyone to go and fetch gas cylinders from the bazaar. Here everything is so modern one can even find food ready cooked in packets." I know she came from a village but these facilities are present in any city of Pakistan, big or small. Its just that she had never been outside her village.

Two Noble Peace Prizes and two different receptions. One child is shunned by half of her country and is a pariah to the extent that she can’t even come to Pakistan. She would have never gotten a Noble Prize if she was not flown out of the country of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. That is Malala. The same fate was of Physicist Dr. Abdus Salaam. Then on the other hand is Kailash Satyagrihi who is embraced, comes from a small town India called Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh, and sits in India’s capital openly greeting and receiving congratulations from all over India and the world. What a contrast!

It is an immaginatory article by dr abdus salam.all knows thw wonderful work fone by him in his field for which he was awarded the nobel prize.problem here is that there are a lot of doubts about malala.there is a difference between a genuine hero and a manafactured hero. There are many differemce between dr abdus salam and malala.these two cannnot be compared. In pakistam society there is mo doubt about arfa kareem and every corner of society acknowledge her since she did wonders but doubts are produced they way malala is created.i am just giving an example. This is true that our society is an extremist society and we rejected dr abdis salam as a whole but case is different for malala.

All Pakistanis should be proud of Nobel Peace Prize winner Malalal and her Indian social worker counterpart. They truly deserve the recognition.

I also salute Imran Khan and Dr. Qadri for raising the political consciousness of the Pakistan people. May South Asia prosper under great people like Malala, the great Indian social worker, Imran Khan and Dr. Qadri!

Enjoyed the article...point well made.

Unless, we Muslims can separate religion from the affairs of the state we cannot make any real progress in the modern world. Furthermore, we need to do away with the blasphemy law and learn to live in harmony with people of all faiths.

As an Indian i feel the thoughts of Dr salaam ,for any emotional human being attachment to his motherland is unimaginable.even though we were born in free India ,we still feel to visit our ancestors land in Pakistan... now,then how Dr.salaam might b feeling now ..imagine.

A wonderful theme in touchy words. What an irony, both Nobel Laureates from Pakistan lack unanimous appreciation in their own country. Perhaps that is how it works, history does not lack names whose own country men, humiliated even executed its heroes... Good luck Malala, we are with you.

@Indo-US-Pak. Professor sb! does this Peace price over weighs Abdul Sattar Eidhi's efforts? I wish you should have not though so. At least I am now thinking about two other girls who also got hurt in the same van Malala was sitting. Other than presence in that van what different Malala has done?

Although I'm truly happy for Malala, it is naive to compare Nobel Peace Prize with Nobel Prize in Physics. Peace prize is perhaps the least worthy of all Nobel Prizes and almost always politically motivated. However, I agree that we are quick in giving birth to controversies and defaming our heroes.

Two great achievers born in a nation that does not deserve them.

can someone answer a simple question ? Whenever a person who is from third world and has an Islamic name, selected for Noble Prizes, Oscar and Emmy award , they always select it on a very controversial basis? why a person like Edhi , who's name is in Guinness book of world record as a WORLD'S LARGEST VOLUNTARY AMBULANCE SERVICE OWNER can be choose for such awards? why always a controversial Abdus Salam , Malala and Sherien Obiad ? we love many people and we have observations about some people. they pick up the most controversial one and give them award. why?

Touching Malala is like touching the base and leaders like Imran and Qadri, because they are riding the popular wave would be hesitant to own. On the other hand PPP, presently going down the drain still has the courage to salute the Dame of Pakistan. This is long term vrs short term. This is Pakistan vs bifurcated Pakistan.

see the divide is already showing up when people claim she is the pride of pukhtoons, don't get me started of that pride gaffe... stick to what you don't know !!!

Gr8 people of Pakistan. My all regards Yogi

@Joe FL Would you kindly explain the services of Dr Salam for Pakistan's scientific advances and Malala's services for advancing education in Pakistan?

Dr Salam's case is a separate one and I would not comment on it.

Thousands of Pakistanis, including religious scholars, doctors, students, members of armed forces and law enforcement agencies have been brutally killed by Taliban and other extremist groups and thousands have been injured, Malala being one of them. What is so special with Malala to be singled out for Nobel Award for Peace? what she has done for world peace? Are her services for humanity in general and Pakistan in particular, greater than Edhi and some other noble names?

Various awards have been bestowed on Malala and she has been met by western leaders. Is it because of her services for education of Swati girls and writings for BBC in her name or is it because she was their blue eyed kid and the daughter of a CIA agent?

I can't be more proud of these two personalities. It is people like Dr. Salam and Malala that enables me to keep my head high and be proud of being a Pakistani.

@ishaq he's dead, bro

@Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali I agree with you. No comparison between Dr. Abdul Salam and Malala at all.

Excellent. You have summarized everything. Deserves appreciation.

@Hifsa Baloch My sympathies are with you. I agree and understand what you say but I am sorry to say it is too late now. Time is over. No one will come to rescue this nation. Number of crimes committed by Pakistanis as nation are uncountable and immeasurable. Pakistanis are the hypocrite nation. At the end we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.

@ishaq He passed away in 1996.

Amazingly true analysis of pak nation mentality. Very sad reality. The only good thing is that people like you still exist in pakistan. Most of people who could not tolerate that society has left abroad. My humble request is spread it as much as in pakistan. May be it will shake the conscious of silent majority. Sooner we get out of this using religious excuses for all excesses, better it is. All these same Pakistanis work very hard abroad irrespective of colour, sex, race or religion. Fairness and justice is the basis of improving the society. Can imran khan deliver this fairness and justice to all irrespective their religious believes has yet to be seen.people like you are the only hope for this nation if there is any hope! Good luck. You have many supporters and it will grow.

@Moona Hi moons You are right. There will be many Pakistanis who are not like the article suggested. But then it is your duty to speak up the truth you believe, stand for injustice. If each one of you become bold, nation will change.

Congratulations to Malala first of all. This was extremists one of worst political blunder that they start solving every problem using guns. Gun culture is the reason of their own miseries otherwise political things can be solved by thousand other means.

Dr Salaam saheb, I had the honour to meet you at the science exhibition in Dhaka in 1961. At the time I was representing my college in Chittagong. A few months later I joined a college in Chelsea near your Imperial College in South Kensington. Sir, I have the greatest respect for you as a scientist and a human being. Though your country did not give the recognition that you deserved, you have still not abandoned it. My point is whether this country deserves great people such as you and Malala ? Perhaps a day will come when we have actual democratic leaders believing in the policies of QuaideAzam when all will be treated equally and fairly irrespective of their religious beliefs and ethnicity. With best regards Mahmud Quraishi.

Heart Wrenching.

@Amanullah Khan

Why don't you do some research for yourself? Just search Abdus Slam in Wikipedia to start.

@Beena Siddiqui : Dr Abdus Salam was given noble price for his work on the Grand Unification Theory. Any one who have an ounce of scientific knowledge will definitly appreciate his work.

@Mahmud Quraishi Well said

@Mahmud Quraishi you forget it is Pakistan Army who is fighting against extremist elements and it is Pakistan who also start peace process with them to solve the issues. And there are many Pakistanis including army, police and law enforcement personnel who sacrifices their lives that you forget. More and more Pakistanis are getting high education and women play their role in every part of life freely. Whenever some small incident happen huge propaganda is started against Pakistan but I will not let you take advantage of one incident in Pakistan. Facts speak louder than propaganda against Pakistani nation. We are as brave, civilized, cultured, educated & posses enormous talent. I will also remind you roots of the problem doesn't exist in Pakistan. It is an international issue and we are facing problems because of our neighbor countries do not behave positively.

Malala should thank Pakistan Army for saving not only her life but many others and Army also had launched a successful cleanup operation in swat. You also forgets what Pakistani political leadership has done for her :)

@Sana You were not alone. It was really quite disturbing emotionally.

wow what a letter and so aptly put.. the mantle has surely passed onto a very able shouldered young woman and I absolutely adore her.. In my prayers I always do put in a few words for you Malala.. you are the messiah your country needs.. Good going girl... You have taken up a responsibility too big for many but not for you..God bless you!!

@Moona By now, there should have been celebrations galore in Pakistan. But alas, Right thinkers are not able to exercise pressure on the Government to eradicate the menace of Taliban. Kudos to Malala. I am moved by her story and given copies of the book entitles "I am Malala" to my friends. understand that this book is banned in Pakistan. So sad

Because same people who awarded Noble prize are destroyed Muslim civilization they killed million of million Muslims they colonized Muslims they steal robed Muslim wealth property dignity they denied education they denied indepandency to Muslim world they killed Muslim good honest leadership and put most cherecterless thief robber uncompitent dictator on Muslim head they drive out Muslim from there home like Philistine Kashmir Aphganistan Iraq ete. If Mr. Dr. Abdussalam and sister Malala Zai are true Muslims and Pakistani. They should use these blessing From God to protest international level to remove the hardship persecution and to stop killing of Muslims all over the world they should under stand that they hide there face there wrong doing to Muslim world to awarded you so best thing to do to return there Noble price in protest that western countries stop persecution of Muslim and that is not fanatic action that is most modreren westerns protocol .

Good work, well said.

Silence protest on Nation's attitude.

Can we "in the name of education"; Start educating the youth about how political forces levered by politicians... change the meaning of a great endeavor by great men and women of history to "nothing"? A hero become zero or a zero becomes hero based on the strength of the political leader & it's party. Afterward we shall point our youth toward the plight of the living masses & the quality of life of citizens around them than wasting yet another day arguing "who came first or who was not a real hero" etc etc.

@Mahmood Khalid Pakistan somehow is going backward; into innocent villagers mindset who believe in myths & hearsay stories. Sadly, the modern media had become a tool for conspiracy theorists instead of exposing such schemes. We must shun all arguments and direct our energies toward the plight of the masses, to solve them. You don't argue about anything when crossing a weak & breaking bridge over the Rapids, do you?

We love you Malala you have made us all Proud Pakistanis !

It was sad than and it is sad today. It is a strugle towards humanity. Thanks to Malala for standing tall We were proud of you than as we are still today Don't be bitter with rest of us. Religion has taken us backward and that was never the intention from our forefathers for the Islamic state of Pakistan.

Two Noble Peace Prizes and two different receptions. One child is shunned by half of her country and is a pariah to the extent that she can’t even come to Pakistan. She would have never gotten a Noble Prize if she was not flown out of the country of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. That is Malala. The same fate was of Physicist Dr. Abdus Salaam. Then on the other hand is Kailash Satyagrihi who is embraced, comes from a small town India called Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh, and sits in India’s capital openly greeting and receiving congratulations from all over India and the world. What a contrast!

@MUZAFAR. sir very true. It Is Stated in religious history and some sacred book that Allah SWT says don't be aggressive Allah SWT dislikes aggressive people and, those who kill the humanity. do this is followd by talibans, what kind of religion are they following? this is not the doctrine of islam at all. i am calling all those people who have achieved bachelors, masters, mphils, PhDs and so on,, and i am asking them why male dominated society know a female by her gender why not her abilities, intellectual capacities and the efforts which she made for her well being. Though woman is no equal in power but she is equal in rights. man is a ruler and he must not be biased rulers. what a privilge bestowed to all male gender by allah SWT that they are the rulers of women, but a blind eye is inside their hearts that forbid them from justice and compell them for injustice. but still i have faith in God That will be everand ever,

@Tahir Khan She was a Hero the day she recovered and was back in full force defying the barbarians that put a bullet in her head, something that you and I do not have the courage to do.

You hit the nail on the head. We all have to accept that each individual is different and may have different believes.

You hit the nail on the head. We all have to accept that each individual is different and may have different believes.

How she has become the pride of Pakistan?

@Zarif qazi Some people, like you, will never understand. When did Norway and Sweden conquer a muslim country? Please read history before commenting about history! Shame, shame, shame.

First things first, What was the reason she is given the Nobel Prize for peace? Anyone? I have been unable to find the answer to this. Nobel prize for Pakistan is good in any discipline, but this peace nobel prize is what for? If this is for saying peace among Pak-Ind, then there are many others starting with PM Nawaz Sharif and his ministers etc etc. But wait, there is Altaf Bhai as well. Why not these 2? If it is for humanity, than why not Eidhi saab. There are many others with decades of services in education, humanity, social work etc.. But out of the blue, its Malala whose only known act of valor is a mysterious shot in the head from close range that did not kill her or even left a mark. Why was the nobel not given to the 2 other girls who got injured besides her and why were they not taken to UK for treatment. I wish and pray to Allah that He gives us understanding of the affairs and do not let us prey to any conspiracy. In general, logic suggests if we can identify and justify the reasons for giving this award to Malala, its bliss, otherwise the flip side of the coin say, nothing comes free in this world.

@Talat Haque : Actually, I am sure Pakisatanis want to be respected and honoured( internally and internationally) NOT pitied. Problem is: They don't quite know how to gain respect by acting in the same way they expect respectable others to act. Pakistanis respect progress, education, wealth, power, social, physical, and intellectual achievement.They also respect kindness, charity, acceptance, inclusion, and purity of heart (Pak). However, they expect submission to them by others, and want to impose their ideology on others.That leads to intolerance, exclusion -- even inflexibility and rigidity in imposing codes of conduct in everyone's daily life. A society however strict (rigid) will have people who do not conform to its norms --because they are imperfect and un-perfectable humans. Just study the lives of your better known leaders --at least. Study yourself -- FIRST!

Pakistanis are human but forget thay they are not and cannot be perfect and cannot expect others to be so. RELAX, dear Pakistani clerics. Your brothers, sisters, sons and daughters have minds of their own.Let them learn for themselves by thinking for themselves! Give them room to make mistakes and learn from them! They are NOT SHEEP! SET THEM FREE. Provide FREE PUBLIC EDUCATION after they eat! Dear Dawn: Thank you for publishing this piece.

@ishaq : Worse -- Dr. Salam can't even call himself Muslim --by Pakistani law!

@Dr. Hammad A. Qureshi: on the CONTRARY -- Pakistan wants to be RESPECTED!

@Adnan Khalid : Often, not always, when we try to help an injured animal, it strikes or bites IN FEAR! Please speak of fear and its consequences. I have found that many wild animals actually calm down and allow humans to help heal them when they hurt --and SEEM to be grateful!

Nice. Thanks.

@Youth Dr.Salam as a great Scientist ,and a great human being ,was ,is,and will continue to be greatly valued and respected by people of awareness and learning, everywhere. We as a nation have been unfair to him and also to his religious community; and in doing so ,we have only degraded ourselves ,and probably invited the wrath of Allah SWT ,as clearly visible all over Pakistan. ( I firmly believe in the absolute finality of the prophethood of Allah SWT 's last prophet Muhammad SAW ; but this does not allow me to snatch away their right of freedom of belief ). Malala also proved to be a great,dauntless , person who stood up courageously while others dared not speak up; she has earned her place in history , recognized universally. Both of them brought pride to Pakistan.

It's conspirconspiracy against Pakistan. Presenting us as a nation that doesn't favour education. Malala won nobel prize but her own people of swat valley hate her. the best example is the protest of swat people when girls college in Swat was named after Malala

I totally agree !! We as a nation should celebrate, if not should at least concede that we have a Noble Laureate after 35 years. Let us not lose this chance and should move forward. If some of us do not agree with the nomination that fine you have the right. But please do not ridicule anyone. We as a nation do not get much to celebrate, lets not lose this one.

"She moved a step forward then usual and decided not to be a victim"

Dr. Salam we were proud of yourTalent regardless of nationalities.

Tired of reading all the comments blaming the Pakistanis as a sick nation except few serious thoughtful , rest are acting they are out of this world. And problem facing Pakistan are nonexistent elsewhere Hippocratic as it is to ignore the issues of poverty, lacking education instability due to middle eastern conflict with US And their interruption in our region created insecurities in lives of Pakistanis. Still we are far better than what we could have been under these circumstances. Hardly 60 year old nation, don't blame and paint nagativly, if you can't put up than shut up

Pakistan doesnt deserve Malala , she was shot in broad day light in Pakistan for speaking the truth, no body in Pakistan helped her, she was revived in hospitals in UK and given a chance to get a noble peace prize in USA, where as in Pakistan every body let her die, self centered Imran Khan even banned her book in KP fearing she will become popular than him and how will he please Talibans, Nawaz Shareef kept tight lip.Bilawal wakes up and asks her to only help Sindh. Malala is a brave and true soul who needs no Pakistan representation, yet she can help Pakistan by speaking up.

@GoodHeart it's a good story you narrate ,but unfortunately is not the full story, you did not and will not be able to see the full picture of why and how , it needs lots of courage and insight from a life and belief of a life from among us ,it's easy to through stone from outside on a house of glass

@Sohrab The optimism is supreme in dire circumstances. Yes there are many examples of the success of nations after dictatorships. Chile, Mexico, Russia, Bangladesh , Turkey, Indonesia, Argentina and many more. There will come a time when to be a Pakistani in foreign countries would not be source of mockery. Remember the UK went through the same circumstances, in Queen Elizabeth 1st. People were fined if they did not attend the Church, the church because only the Church of England was the church. Other denominations were illegal. So I would not give up hope. Religious scums will float only for a time.

@Dinesh I liked that balanced comment ....no matter no one recommended your post because it presents a balanced picture of Pakistan which has decent people along with the extremist , narrow minded ones . Thanks for being the voice of sanity , Neighbor :-)

@Moona EXACTLY ! I have yet to come across anyone who hates Dr.Salam ; Malala is highly controversial, no doubt. Dr. Salam's achievement was monumental ; Malala's achievement is very "subjective" . Where is the peace she has "struggled" for ? Or do only efforts suffice for Nobel now?

kailesh got the nobel peace prize, though we indians have not heard much of him, i heard he works in about 144 countries, so it seems it is not political, but friends nobel has its politics and that is why it was given for malala i think award was given for political reasons which all of us knows.

@Anwar : You were talking about facts, here are some; 1. Bengalis were called traitors and separated from smaller Province West Pakistan. Recall history and find out who were the people who made Muslim League and were in the lead for Pakistan. 2. Our economy is getting worse day by day, foreign debt rising and poverty level rising. 3. Corruption is increasing at all levels of society. 4. Mis-governance or no governance is the order of the day. 5. Law and order is uncontrollable. 6. Ethinicity and religious intolerance is rising. 7. We are so talented that we cant run any public organisation efficiently and even garbage collection is difficult for us. 8. We have a habit of blaming the "hidden hand" and others and not ourselves for our problems. I live in Pakistan where do you live?

Very well written sir.

what my gut feeling is that some one is going against their own nation he or she can't be a Nobel person and you can give thousand and one explanation; if one is traitor to their own country and supporting the west requirement can't be a humble person; we should solve our problems among us rather than taking them to out sides.

Great Article !!!! keep it up

iam sure these wd hv been the very words of that great brain n noble human being

When I think about talented and intellectually gifted persons in Pakistan...I hear a voice from their heart I.e " to be or no to be" that much gifted and acknowledged in Pakistan. A sad story :(

@Hakim Let's analyze this rationally with great respect to MY and not taking away her struggle and pain and suffering for her country wherever it may be she is selling the idea that Pakistan is a savage stone age society which is only enhancing the western stereotypes against us for which I may add she is being paid tens of crores of rupees she is also following the script admirably where this is headed no one knows but I have a sneaking hunch that she is the one of many players who will start appearing and start discrediting the most technologically advanced nuclear capable Islamic nation so it's set up perfectly to be neutralized either by a stimulated civil war so it's broken up like Iraq or totally annihilated by an external power and thanks to players like the nice softly spoken lady MY the world will say "good riddance those Stone Age savages got what they deserved."

@Rizwan Unless women are educated, there is no salvation. How long shall Pakistan remain backward? This is what exactly Malala did and is doing. She stood against Taliban goons who are against women's education. By her act, she also encouraged others to do so. She deserves Nobel prize

This article made me cry also, How many times we have to cry? when are we going to celebrate , laugh or make our country proud of us?

Asslamo Alaikum! I am a fundamentalist in many seculars. Fellows I am one of those who do criticise the malala. But I do appreciate her for her struuggle for education, I do condemn those terrorists who attacked her. But the only thing which made me anti malala that she did not or may be could not distinguish between a terrorist and a Muslim(by ideology) when she had the chance. She did not or may be could not clerify the real Islam and that of the terrorist's one, which the world desperately need to know. And being the ummati of that prophet who appreciate everyone for thier achievements I my self appreciate Dr Abdus Slam for his un forgettable achievement and recommend those who dont appreciate him due to his beliefs to study Islam properly so that they could understand.

Love it..simple but thought provoking.... For malala..... "Hum ne dekhay hain boht totay sitaray lekin.... Moot se khail k wo bachi malala bun jaye......"

Mohtram Dr Abdus Salam Sahib I read your letter to Malala. It was beautiful. Yes we all are proud to claim her as our daughter. She is a brave young girl who gave a very happy moment to us all in otherwise a very scary environment. May Allah give her courage and wisdom to live a long life and become a guiding light for all girls in Pakistan.

Doctor Sahib I am sorry and ashamed at the way you were treated by the Government and the people at large in Pakistan. You were a treasure that we did not appreciate. Every Pakistani needs to feel guilty and ashamed, We in this country are still roaming without any direction. Even after six decades of our independence we are a laughing stock of the World. We are unfortunately condemned to be ruled by crooks and clowns. Who keep taking turns and the people keep watching from the side lines.

Thanks for an excellent article. I wish in Pakistan their negative thaughts against women should change, and they should appreciate Malala.

This is an excellent article. Unfortunately our Pakistani people instead of feeling pride on Malala, they are giving more negative comments. We should be proud as a Pakistani, that our country girl won Nnobel Prize.

Excellent article by Dr. Faraz. Hope to get some more from him in future.

@Moona I agree with you .

@Tahir Khan what a statement you should be ashamed of yourself for making such statement.

According to your logic Pakistanis and Americans are alike. Obama got nobel peace award too. Ask Americans if they think he stands for peace or if he deserves it. Mejority thinks otherwise. Because u can fool some ppl always but not all the ppl always. If you think why did ppl voted obama. Answer is that they did not want to vote republicans that is why.

....'Like a mother of a particularly rebellious child, you must find a way to love them nonetheless. Eventually, I pray, they will understand.'...Beautiful words! I salute your courage Dr Abdus Salam. I am much more optimistic about Malala and her role in future. She is more of an international figure now - than limited to Pakistan and Pakistanis (at home) which is a blessing. More than anything this is only the start of her career with Nobel Peace prize....she has got a lot more to accomplish and all she achieves will bring more glory to Pakistan.

@Afzal Mir : After obtaining his PhD in 1951, Dr Salam was very much involved in the science field in Pakistan. Unfortunately he left after the 1953 Qadiani incident in Lahore. Yet he kept assisting Pakistan in various ways. He died in England in 1996 and is buried at Rabwa, Pakistan. In death also he did not abandon Pakistan. Yet we did not recognise or respect his achievements and Nobel award. What a sorry lot are we!

Wish she had Nishan-e-Haider instead of Nobel Prize.

Whatever happened with that child was unfair and I show my deepest grievance on that but she clearly not stands a chance for Noble Prize. (Dr. Abdus Salam was indeed a laureate and there is no second opinion). There are many others in Pakistan such as Edhi, Aitzaz Hassan (the tribal boy who was martyred) name to few. To earn noble one must earn it (unlike Malala)

@Beena Siddiqui . I know my voice will not be any louder than what you wrote, but I truly support your arguments and believe that we must keep doing so. Such action may not make big impact but it is lot better than remaining silent.

@Hafeez,Canada Well said. The 10% extremists shall be ignored. In any society, such bad elements are there who obstruct development of the society. Next generation will adopt the right path for progress

Agree to the sentence ' We want them to acknowledge the Iqbalian paradise we lost to the plots and schemes of the ‘outsiders’. Any mention of the incalculable harm caused by perpetrators within us (Taliban), does not assist that narrative.'

Very well written article! It's sad how Pakistan makes living there difficult for those who try to do good for the country. No wonder there is a lot of violence there. I root for Malala all the way because she is a hero to me.

I am a pakistani but opted USA as my country. I believe that USA has practical ISLAM working. I hope that Pakistan can develop half that I found here in USA.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think Dr. Abdus Salam is already dead. This is fake.

Thanks for confirming what I have always felt was true - that in Pakistan as well as in India and everywhere else, most people are loving and glow with the gentle light of humanity - it is the only the thoughts and actions of small sections of confused and traumatised individuals who call themselves variously - as nationalists, patriots, Hindutvists, Jihadists etc - who come to be projected to the outside world as what the people of that country represent. It brought tears of joy to hear what my brothers from Pakistan and India think of Malala who is the darling of not only Pakistan but of the subcontinent and the whole world. Malala has made all the ordinary people in Pakistan and the subcontinent with love in their hearts to speak out their minds in support of our mothers, sisters and daughters and against hate nurtured by the mysterious agenda of those who torture and kill their own blood in the name of God.

@Rizwan Ali you don't have to do physical labor to get awards. Spreading awareness too counts.

@Naeem Qureshi cos we love failures. Simple

@Mohammad Akhtar presume, as they say, too late to compliment them AFTER they have been recognized by others.

Awesome. Respect for the author