ISLAMABAD: World’s youngest Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai will visit Pakistan to attend the two-day international conference on girls’ education in Islamabad as a special guest. 

Education Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani apprised that the activist will return home after attending the conference scheduled to take place on January 11, 12.

As per official statement, the conference will also provide an ideal platform for high-level discussions and collaborations.

Shehbaz Sharif will deliver a keynote address at the opening session. During his address, he will reaffirm the nation’s commitment to promoting girls’ education and gender equity.

“The event will bring together over 150 international dignitaries, including ministers, ambassadors, scholars and academia from 44 Muslim and friendly countries, representatives from international organizations including UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank,” said the statement.

The education conference will conclude with a formal signing ceremony of the Islamabad Declaration, outlining the shared commitment of the Muslim community to empower girls through education, paving the way for inclusive and sustainable educational reforms and a brighter future for generations to come.

Addressing a press conference today, Federal Education Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said the conference will be attended by all four provincial education ministers as well as the chief ministers.

He said that Pakistan values the traditions of Afghan society, adding that they have also invited the Afghan government to participate in the conference. “We are still far behind in terms of education and employment,” said Siddiqui. 

Malala last visited Pakistan in October 2022 when she visited flood-affected areas of the country. She was just15 years old when the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) shot her in the head over her campaign for girls’ education.