Malala visits hometown, says ‘happiest day of my life’

–In a daylong trip, 20-year-laureate visited her old house, father’s school, and Swat Cadet College

–Tearful Malala says she misses Swat’s beauty, wants to come back after completing education in UK

-Says ‘not interested in politics anymore as it is not the only solution’

–Says ‘a tiny group hates, while the country on the other hand loves me’

SWAT: Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai on Saturday visited her hometown amid tight security measures for the first time after she was shot by a Taliban hitman at least five years ago.

She reached Mingora through a special helicopter amid a curfew-like situation. All roads were closed and commercial activities remained on halt due to stringent security measures. The 20-year Nobel laureate was accompanied by Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and other senior officers besides her family.

Upon arrival in Mingora, the delegation proceeded to Kushal Public School, a private school established by Malala’s father Ziauddin Yousafzai, where she was accorded a warm welcome. During her visit to the school, a number of relatives and family friends, including former neighbours, also met her.

Speaking to the students, Malala stated that she aimed to return to Swat after completing her education and added that she misses the beauty of Swat valley as it “is like heaven on Earth”.

According to agencies, she was in tears after entering the home where relatives, former class fellows and friends had been anxiously waiting since morning to welcome her.

“I left Swat with my eyes closed and now I am back with my eyes open,” she said, referring to how she was airlifted out in a coma after the attack in 2012.

During a brief visit to the valley, Malala and family visited Cadet College Swat, situated in Guli Bagh near to Charbagh Town. She met students and teachers and expressed pleasure over the establishment of an educational institute in the area. She also visited the home where she was born and took pictures.

“I am extremely delighted. My dream has come true. Peace has returned to Swat because of the invaluable sacrifices rendered by my brothers and sisters,” Malala said.

During her visit, a nostalgic Malala stated that she would return to her hometown in Swat after completing her education in the UK. Malala, however, was unable to visit her ancestral village in Shangla district and was flown back to Islamabad.

The trip comes two days after Malala made her emotional return to Pakistan, where her unannounced visit has been met with widespread joy and pride.

Earlier, it had been uncertain earlier whether Malala would be able to visit Swat. Two security officials told Reuters that the trip by helicopter to Swat would likely be just for one day.

Malala not interested in politics anymore

DON’T WANT TO BE A POLITICIAN: Separately, in an interview with BBC Urdu, Malala termed politics a “complicated matter” and said that change could be brought by any method —  by being doctor or an engineer as well.

“I felt by becoming a prime minister I could resolve the issues faced by the country, but this is not the reality,” said Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai as she abandoned her desire to become the premier.

Malala, the champion of education and women rights, said that Pakistani politicians need to change their priorities and instead of indulging in occasional blame games they should focus on health and education reforms.

Replying to her haters, she said a tiny minority cannot crush her resolve as a majority loves her and her purpose. She also added that she believes in education for girls and stated that she was neither an agent nor standing with any foreign powers.

Malala further said today’s Pakistan is different from the Pakistan of 2012 and she is happy over the restoration of peace in the country.

Referring to the recently concluded edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the youngest Noble laureate said that she supported Peshawar Zalmi, but Islamabad United deserved to win.

Malala, on Thursday, held a meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. She broke down in tears while recounting how much she had missed being back in her hometown of Swat, lamenting how so much had changed in her life in so little time

“Today, I am very happy that, after five-and-a-half years, I have set foot on the soil of my nation again,” she began in Urdu. Switching to Pashto, she said, “Today is the happiest day of my life, because I have returned to my country, I have stepped foot on my nation’s soil again and am among my own people.”

The Nobel laureate had said that she would never have left Pakistan if she had a choice.

Talking to a private TV channel on Friday, Malala stated that she plans on a permanent return to Pakistan after completing her education.

“My plan is to return to Pakistan as this is my country. I have the same right on the country as any another Pakistani,” said Malala who is pursuing a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the Oxford University.

In an interview to the channel, she had reiterated her joy of being in Pakistan and her mission of providing education to children. “We want to work for the education of children and make it possible that every girl in Pakistan receives a high-level education and she can fulfil her dreams and become a part of society.”

Fifteen-year-old Malala Yousufzai was shot in October 2012 in the head at point-blank range as she left school in her hometown of Swat. The shooting drew widespread international condemnation and she was subsequently sent to Britain for treatment.

Malala has become an internationally recognised symbol of resistance to the Taliban’s efforts to deny women education and other rights.

In 2014, 17-year-old Malala became the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate. She was the co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for her struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.