Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai returned to her childhood home in Barkana, Shangla, on Wednesday, marking her first visit in 13 years since surviving a Taliban assassination attempt. The 26-year-old activist, accompanied by her father, husband, and brother, traveled under tight security, with the area sealed off for several hours. Authorities took extra precautions due to the resurgence of militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
Malala, who was just 15 when she was shot in the head by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in Swat Valley, expressed her joy at revisiting her home. “It was such a joy for me to return there today—after 13 long years—to be surrounded by the mountains, dip my hands in the cold river, and laugh with my beloved cousins,” she wrote on X.
Her visit, which lasted only three hours, was kept secret until the last moment. A senior administration official, speaking anonymously, revealed that even local residents were unaware of the visit in advance to prevent any security threats.
A Legacy of Education and Advocacy
During her brief stay, Malala visited the school and college she established in Barkana in 2018, which provides free education to nearly 1,000 girls. Previously, the region lacked a functional government college for girls. She met with students, inspected classrooms, and encouraged young girls to pursue education. “Study hard and build a bright future,” she told them, reaffirming her commitment to women’s education.
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Education activist Shahzad Roy, who manages the Shangla Girls School and College under Zindagi Trust, was also present. He briefed Malala on the institution’s progress and the quality of education provided under her initiative.
Malala’s dedication to education has remained unwavering. At age 17, she became the youngest-ever Nobel laureate for her advocacy. In January, she urged Muslim world leaders at an education conference in Islamabad to take action against the Afghan Taliban for banning teenage girls from schools.
A Nation Struggling with Violence
Malala’s visit comes at a turbulent time for Pakistan. Just a day before, a suicide attack on a military compound in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killed 18 people, including civilians and soldiers. Expressing her grief, Malala stated, “I pray for peace in every corner of our beautiful country. The recent attacks, including in Bannu yesterday, are heartbreaking.”
The resurgence of Taliban-linked militancy in Pakistan has raised concerns about security in the region. The TTP, which was responsible for Malala’s attempted assassination, has regained strength in border areas, leading to increased violence. Her home province has witnessed frequent attacks on security forces and civilians in recent years.
A Symbolic Return Amid Uncertainty
While Malala’s return to her ancestral village was brief, it held deep personal and symbolic significance. She visited her uncle, Ramazan, who recently underwent heart surgery, and spent time at her family’s ancestral graveyard. For a young girl who once defied the Taliban’s oppressive rule to attend school, this visit represented resilience, hope, and the ongoing struggle for education in conflict-ridden areas.
Malala’s previous visits to Pakistan in 2018 and 2022 focused on advocating for girls’ education and providing aid to flood victims. This latest trip, though largely personal, reinforced her message: education remains the key to change. Whether Pakistan can overcome its security challenges and fully realize that vision, however, remains uncertain.