Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Karzai Writes to Pakistan Officials in Wake of Malala Attack

Karzai Writes to  Pakistan Officials in Wake of Malala Attack

KABUL - President Hamid Karzai has written letters to top political and religious leaders in Pakistan denouncing the Taliban attack on a Pakistani teenager who promoted girls' education and calling for more collaboration to fight the extremists.

According to a statement from Karzai's office, the president described the attack on Malala Yousafzai, 14, who was shot on October 9 outside her school in Pakistan's northwest Swat valley, as an attack on all Afghan girls and one which goes against the religion and culture of both nations.

Karzai invited the political and religious leaders to help both countries take "coordinated, collaborative and serious action with strong determination against terrorism and extremism," the Presidential office said in a statement on Saturday.

He said that the similar attacks have been perpetuated for many years on both Afghan schools and students, so the people of Afghanistan well understand the pain and suffering of Malala.

"The President said [in his letter] that the voice and sorrow raised by the peoples of the two countries including political and national leaders signify that it is a deplorable event that requires serious attention," adding that this voice must not be silenced, said the statement.

On Saturday, schools across Afghanistan with prayers for Malala's recovery according to a decree from the Afghan Ministry of Education in a notable show of solidarity with Pakistan to defend girls' education.

Pakistani police have arrested at least three people, possibly more, in relation to the case, multiple media outlets reported Saturday.

Karzai's letters were sent to officials including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Parvez Ashraf, Leader of Pakistan's Muslim League Party Nawaz Sharif, Chairman of the Tehreek-e-Insaf Pakistan Imran Khan, President of the Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, President of the Assembly of Islamic Clerics Maulana Fazel Rehman, Head of Pakistan Peoples Party Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, and leaders of the Baloch region Sardar Ataullah Mengal, Mir Hasel Khan Bezanjo and Talal Akbar Bugti, according to Karzai's office. (Tolo News)