MUZAFFARABAD: The international fund established by Malala Yousafzai for raising girls’ literacy has decided to finance education expenses of poor children in Azad Kashmir as well.

Viki Jonson, the director of the Unesco Malala Fund, along with representatives Zaffar Hayyat Malak and Waqar Shams called on Azad Kashmir’s Education Secretary (Schools) Raja Muhammad Abbas to inform him about the decision.

Also read: Malala to fund school project with Angelina Jolie

Jonson told Abbas that the Malala fund would bear expenses of all reading material (books and notebooks) of deserving children besides providing each student from the backward areas a monthly stipend of Rs500.

Raja Abbas expressed the hope that the initiative would prove to be a milestone in raising girls’ literacy in the area.

He also assured the delegation of his full cooperation.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play