ISLAMABAD: Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai Sunday terming the current law and order situation of Pakistan as very peaceful said peace had been restored completely in the country.
“This was made possible only with the sincere efforts of security forces and great sacrifices of civilians and Pakistan Army. My return to Pakistan was actually a success of Pakistan’s war against terrorism,” she said this in an interview with APP.
Malala praised the role of the government and Pakistan Army in restoring peace. “My dream of returning Pakistan was fulfilled due to the government of Pakistan and Pak Army’s sincere efforts”.
She said, “It was my dream to go back to Pakistan which comes true now. I waited for this moment for several years, hoping one day to return”.
She said, “Now I can tell the whole world with more confidence that there is complete peace in Pakistan and my return to my country was ample proof of this”.
She said now people could go to Swat, Hunza or anywhere in Pakistan as there was no terrorism and the people of Pakistan were also peace-loving.
Malala, appreciating present democratic government on completing its constitutional tenure, hoped that the next democratic government would also complete its tenure in Pakistan.
She said there was great responsibilities on country’s politicians’ shoulders to include the actual problems of the people in their parties manifestos and proposed that they should focus on issues like improving the education and health standards in the country.
She appealed the political leaders to ensure inclusion of matters like girls’ education in their manifestos and make plans to ensure girls access to primary, secondary and higher education.
She said, “Now a days my focus is only on my education ensuring every girl that she has right to higher education and making her future on her own choice. This approach is not only beneficial for a girl but also for entire society.”
She said she avoided considering negative comments on social media and also advised her supporters not to use harsh language against the opponents in her favour.
Malala Yousafzai, 20, won international renown after she was shot by the Taliban in Mingora. She received initial treatment in Pakistan and later, she was taken to England for further treatment and care. She stayed in the United Kingdom to continue her education and became the youngest person to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.
Malala: My return is ample proof that Pakistan is a peaceful country
Malala: My return is ample proof that Pakistan is a peaceful country
Islamabad, Tehran to extend electricity supply agreement for Pakistan’s southwest
- Tariffs to remain between 7.7–11.45 cents/kWh as Islamabad seeks stability for energy-short border regions
- Iran currently powers Gwadar and other border towns where Pakistan’s national grid remains limited
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran have agreed to extend their cross-border electricity supply pact for the southwestern province of Balochistan, maintaining tariffs between 7.7 and 11.45 cents per kilowatt-hour, Pakistan’s energy ministry said on Tuesday.
The deal, first signed in 2002, underpins energy security for parts of southwestern Pakistan where the national grid remains underdeveloped and erratic supply has hampered both industry and residential consumption. Coastal towns like Gwadar and nearby Mand Town in Balochistan have for years relied on imported Iranian power as connectivity with Pakistan’s main transmission network is incomplete and local generation insufficient.
Iran currently exports 100 megawatts of electricity to Gwadar under a March 2023 agreement and could scale up deliveries once additional infrastructure is operational. In May 2023, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi jointly inaugurated the Polan–Gabd transmission line to enable another 100 MW of supply.
Energy ministry spokesperson Zafar Yab Khan confirmed the extension of the deal, saying it had been moved forward between the two governments.
“Yes, it is correct,” he told Arab News, adding that the revised agreement was expected to be placed before Pakistan’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC).
However, the ECC, Pakistan’s top economic decision-making forum, did not take up the extension in its meeting on Tuesday.
Power trade between Iran and Pakistan has expanded gradually over two decades, with tariffs negotiated periodically to reflect fuel costs and cross-border infrastructure upgrades. In August 2023, the ECC approved amendments to a separate contract extending a 104-MW supply from Iran’s Jakigur district into Pakistan’s Mand town through December 2024.
Gwadar, a key node in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is expected to remain dependent on imported electricity until new domestic lines are completed, making continued Iranian supply critical for industries, port operations and basic household demand.
