UN Secretary-General writes letter to Malala's parents

FRONTIER POST

The Secretary-General

handed over the letter, addressed to Malala s parents, to Pakistan s new permanent representative to the UN, Masood Khan during a meeting Friday. Secretary-General Ban, on the occasion, said that he had already issued a strong statement condemning the cowardly act perpetrated against a young 14-year old girl. Malala was shot and critically injured in an attack, for which Taliban have claimed responsibility, in Swat earlier this week. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation within Pakistan and across the world. Malala, at present, is fighting for her life in a military hospital in Rawalpindi after a successful surgery that removed a bullet from her head. “Malala is a role model not only for your country, but for our world,” the Secretary-General said adding that education was a fundamental right for everybody. He further maintained that the UN was partnering with the people of Pakistan in their struggle to promote education. Ambassador Masood Khan said that the Pakistani leadership and the entire nation had condemned the abominable act of violence against Malala. "The whole nation is united against this kind of obscurantism. Malala has been an icon for education for girls and an inspiration for the international community," Ambassador Khan observed. The Pakistani envoy informed the Secretary-General that the Pakistan government and all segments of civil society were committed to the promotion and protection of all human rights, including the right to education. It may be mentioned here that the Pakistan s Mission to the United Nations in New York has sent the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s letter to the parents of Malala through the Foreign Office. Earlier, Pakistan s new Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Masood Khan presented his credentials to the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, in his office at UN Headquarters in New York. He also thanked Secretary General for his strong and consistent support to Pakistan. "People of Pakistan would never forget the Secretary-General leadership for mobilizing the humanitarian support following massive and devastating floods in Pakistan," he said. Welcoming the new Permanent Representative of Pakistan, Secretary General Ban appreciated Pakistan s active role in the UN, its contribution to the UN peacekeeping, and support to the organization s efforts to promote regional and international peace and security. He said Ambassador Khan has assumed his position at an important moment as Pakistan was a member of the UN Security Council. Before joining this position, Ambassador Masood Khan was Pakistan s Ambassador to China.