MINGORA: People belonging to different walks of life in Swat have shown enthusiasm over return of Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafazai to her homeland.

Friends, relatives, neighbours and many others in the birthplace of Malala termed her return a defeat of anti-education and anti-peace forces and a victory of peace and education loving forces in the country.

“The sudden arrival of Malala Yousafzai brings us great pleasure and we welcome her to her motherland. Although Malala lived in our hearts yet her physical presence made us proud,” Gulranga Ali, a former student of Khushal Public School and College, told Dawn.

She said that Malala was a true daughter of Pakistan. She added that Malala was flown unconscious but the prayers of people saved her and then she returned conscious and as a shining star.

Her friends said that they missed her every moment and wanted to see her again in the country permanently.

“Her return reminded me the time when we used to talk during school time. I still remember her active participation in the morning assembly of the school and her lively character in the functions,” said Urooj Bibi, another former student of the school.

Her school friends expected her to visit Swat and meet them as they wanted to see her on the land where she started her campaign for peace and education.

The residents of the district said that she became an icon of education and peace. They said that she was not an individual then but an active and influential movement for girls’ education and peace throughout the world.

“Her return boosted our morale as it is a message for the whole world that our country is peaceful and there is no place for terrorists,” said Ahmad Shah, a civil society member in Mingora.

He said that the entire country must stand with her in her noble cause and struggle for promotion of girls’ education.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2018