Maligning Malala

If the country ever decided to award certain politicians for their creative peddling of outlandish conspiracy theories, then PTI lawmaker Mussarat Ahmadzeb would be an automatic choice for this week’s honour. Ms Ahmadzeb reiterated the not-so unpopular fiction that Malala Yousufzai’s shooting in 2012 was a drama staged in collaboration with the government of Pakistan. To spice things up, Ms Ahmadzeb said she herself was offered a role in the affair. We heard plenty about this theory five years ago and it took substantial effort to quell the fake news that made its way through the grapevine. It was distasteful and irresponsible of Ms Ahmadzeb to propagate the theory again. Behind it is a mischievous mindset that aims to distort the truth. Furthermore, it is a malicious, spiteful and cruel joke to draw attention once again to the conspiracy.

To claim that the act of terrorism was staged is to deny Malala her rights and insult the intelligence of 200 million Pakistanis. It not only trivialises the meaning of this country’s war against terrorism, but also the notion of women’s education. Malala is now an adult and will soon leave her naivete behind. It is crucial that conspiracy theorists become responsible with their words. Malala just might have reason to file defamation charges because we have heard the theories too many times before from too many people. The Nobel laureate deserves our support in fighting for women’s education. She drew attention to a grave issue and garnered world support where our leaders had previously failed. Through Malala, the outside world has taken a more empathetic approach towards Pakistan and joined hands with us to fight our battles. The comments by Ms Ahmadzeb reflect poorly for Pakistan even if the PTI has distanced itself from the same. We must unite to fight against the innumerable problems facing the country; such careless comments are embarrassing and only hurt the cause of women’s education.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2017.

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