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Congratulations pour in online as Nobel Prize winner Malala announces marriage

Collage of photos shared by Pakistani Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, as she poses with her husband (R) on her wedding day in their home in Birmingham, England, on November 9, 2021. (Photo courtesy: @Malala/Twitter)
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Updated 10 November 2021
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Congratulations pour in online as Nobel Prize winner Malala announces marriage

  • The world’s youngest Nobel laureate survived a bid on her life in 2012 by a Taliban gunman in her native town of Swat
  • Malala Yousafzai announced the news of her marriage with Asser Malik across her official social media accounts
Updated 10 November 2021
Sabah Bano Malik

RAWALPINDI: The world’s youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai on Tuesday announced her marriage to Asser Malik, making her Internet followers flood her with congratulatory messages.
Yousafzai, who survived a bid on her life in 2012 by a Taliban gunman in her native town of Swat, shared the pictures of the event across her official social media accounts, saying: “Today marks a precious day in my life. Asser and I tied the knot to be partners for life. We celebrated a small nikkah ceremony at home in Birmingham with our families.”

Her announcement on Twitter and Instagram collectively amassed over 650,000 likes, with many celebrities and notable names sending her best wishes on her happy news.
“Congratulations, Malala and Asser,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote under Yousafzai’s announcement. “Sophie and I hope you enjoyed your special day – we’re wishing you a lifetime of happiness together.”

Film producer Jemima Khan replied to the announcement with “Congratulations and mashallah x.”

Chelsea Clinton, former first daughter of the United States, replied to Yousafzai’s Tweet with “Congratulations Malala and Asser!”

Chief Executive Officer of Apple Tim Cook joined the chorus of well wishes Tweeting: “Congratulations to you and Asser! Wishing you all the best as you begin your new life together.”

Asim Saleem Bajwa, a retired Pakistani three-star general, also congratulated the newlyweds, writing: “Bohat Mubarak to you and your entire family. Prayers for all the happiness in life.”

On Instagram, fellow activist Greta Thunberg wrote “congratulations” under Malala’s post with three heart emojis.
Aseefa Bhutto Zardari commented: “Congratulations! May you both find every joy together, and may your journey be blessed at every turn. Sending you love & duas.”
Global celebrities Reese Witherspoon, Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra along with several Pakistani stars like Meesha Shafi, Aima Baig and Mira Sethi commented under the photo on Instagram.
“Congratulations on this wonderful moment,” wrote Witherspoon, who starred in Legally Blonde and Big Little Lies.
“Buhat buhat Mubarik,” wrote singer and actor Meesha Shafi.
Melinda Gates wrote “so happy for you both” in her comment under the photo.
Editor in chief of British Vogue Edward Enninful wrote, “Congratulations sweet Malala.”
Earlier in June, Yousafzai’s cover story for Vogue went viral when the Nobel laureate’s quotes on marriage received massive backlash in Pakistan.
Yousafzai spoke about marriage and her uncertainty about it all, offering her own thoughts about partnership being perhaps more important than marriage.
“I still don’t understand why people have to get married,” she told the interviewer. “If you want to have a person in your life, why do you have to sign marriage papers, why can’t it just be a partnership?”
The backlash was instant. Interestingly, Yousafzai said in her social media announcement that she and Malik were “partners for life.”

 

Topics: Pakistan Malala Yousafzai

Pakistan tells UN it will defend citizens as Afghanistan conflict escalates

Updated 5 sec ago
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Pakistan tells UN it will defend citizens as Afghanistan conflict escalates

  • Pakistan says UNAMA’s ability to verify civilian casualties limited by Taliban-controlled access
  • Pakistan trades sharp remarks with Afghanistan and India during UN Security Council debate
Updated 5 sec ago
UROOSA JADOON

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan told the United Nations on Monday it would take all measures required to protect its citizens from militant attacks emanating from Afghanistan as tensions between the neighboring countries intensify, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of harboring armed groups and the Afghan Taliban denying the allegation.

Pakistan’s UN ambassador, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, laid out Islamabad’s position during a debate at the UN Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan, warning that cross-border militancy posed a serious threat to regional security.

The remarks came after clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces erupted last month when Afghan forces attacked Pakistani military positions along their shared border in retaliation for earlier Pakistani airstrikes that Islamabad said targeted militant camps inside Afghanistan.

“Pakistan will take all necessary defensive measures for the protection of its citizens, territory and sovereignty,” Ahmad told the council. “Our counterterrorism operations will continue for as long as it takes to degrade the combat capabilities of terrorist groups and support infrastructure.”

Ahmad said Afghanistan had become “a sanctuary” for militant groups including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Baloch Liberation

Army and its Majeed Brigade, Daesh, Al-Qaeda and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement.

He warned that militancy emanating from Afghanistan was destabilizing the region and could threaten wider international security if left unchecked.

Ahmad told the council that Pakistan had witnessed a surge in attacks since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, saying thousands of Pakistanis had been killed in militant violence over the years and that more than 175 people had died in attacks last month alone, including three suicide bombings.

He also accused elements within the Taliban administration of complicity with militant networks and said Pakistan had seized sophisticated military equipment left behind by foreign forces in Afghanistan during its counter-terrorism operations.

While the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has reported civilian casualties in cross-border fighting, the Pakistani diplomat questioned the mission’s ability to independently verify such incidents.

He said UNAMA’s capacity to accurately assess border clashes and civilian casualty reports was limited because access to areas outside Kabul remained tightly controlled by the Taliban.

Ahmad also criticized Taliban governance inside Afghanistan, saying restrictions on women and girls and worsening economic conditions were harming the Afghan population.

Despite the tensions, he said Pakistan had repeatedly pursued diplomatic engagement with Kabul and had supported regional mediation efforts involving Qatar, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.

“As an immediate neighbor bound by geography, with deep-rooted ties, cultural linkages and fraternal bonds, no country desires peace and stability in Afghanistan more than Pakistan,” he said, adding it had also suffered from the consequences of decades of conflict and instability in Afghanistan more than any other state.

“Pakistan’s demand from Afghanistan has always been singular and clear: verifiable and non-reversible action against terrorists,” he added.

“This demand remains unmet to date.”

During the council meeting, Pakistan’s envoy also exchanged sharp remarks with representatives of Afghanistan and India, accusing Kabul of ignoring cross-border militant attacks and alleging that New Delhi had supported groups targeting Pakistan from Afghan territory.

India has rejected similar accusations in the past.

Topics: Pakistan in the UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad Pakistan Afghanistan conflict

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