Says we must rebuild these schools immediately and get the students back into their classrooms
Lahore (Pakistan Point News – 4th August, 2018) Girls education activist and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai has condemned the burning of girls' schools at Chilas, Gilgit Baltistan.
Malala took to Twitter on Friday and said that ‘a girl with a book’ frightens extremists the most.
“The extremists have shown what frightens them most - a girl with a book. We must rebuild these schools immediately, get the students back into their classrooms and show the world that every girl and boy has the right to learn,” she said.
At least 12 girls' schools were attacked in Chilas, Diamer late Thursday night, media reports said.
According to police sources, some unidentified men attacked the girls' schools across Diamer district and damaged school property. The miscreants abalzed some school items as well.
Police and district administration arrived at the scene following the tragic events.
Police have started a search operation in the area while an investigation is also underway into the matter while sealing all the entry and exit points.
According to the district administration, the schools that were attacked were under-construction. Officials added that adequate measures will be taken to safeguard schools and students.
Following the attacks, local residents staged a protest at Siddique Akbar Chowk demanding the arrest of culprits and seeking safety for educational institutes.
Girls' schools are often the target of attack of extremists in the northern areas.
In December 2011, at least two girls' schools were partially damaged in low-intensity explosions in Chilas.
The year 2004 also saw a string of attacks on girls' schools in Chilas. Nine schools of which eight were girls' schools were attacked and destroyed in five days in the area in February 2004.
Malala is also a survivor of a gun attack, targeting her for advocating girls’ education in Swat Valley.
