UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan’s Mission to the UN hosted a reception in honour of Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai after UN Secre­t­a­ry General Antonio Guter­res appointed her a UN Mes­senger of Peace to promote girls education on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan’s Ambassador Maleeha Lodi said that “just like Malala did, our people will always reject those who challenge the vision of Pakistan set out by our founding fathers: of a modern, tolerant and progressive Muslim country”.

In her remarks, Ms Yousafzai made an impassioned plea for education in Pakistan and beyond. She called herself a ‘proud Pakistani’ and a ‘proud Muslim’ and said that she was obliged to raise her voice against the misrepresentation and misperception of her country and her faith.

Ms Lodhi said that Pakistan was now uniting against extremist forces and showing that people in Pakistan believed in peace and education and girls in Pakistan believed in their right to go to school. “There is still a lot more to be done in providing education to girls in Pakistan as indeed in many other countries as well.”

A large number of diplomats and delegates attended the reception.

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2017