Malala Yousafzai poses for photographers with her father Ziauddin and journalist Christiane Amanpour prior to taking part in a panel discussion in New York, October 10, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
In an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour at a sold-out public event, she also said winning Friday's Nobel Peace Prize would be a "great honour."
Asked about her conflicting dreams of becoming a doctor or a politician, and whether she would like to become premier, Malala said she wanted to help her homeland.
"I want to become a prime minister of Pakistan," she told Amanpour to cheers from the audience.
"I think it's really good because through politics I can save my whole country," she added.
"I can spend much of the budget on education and I can also concentrate on foreign affairs."
Malala was shot in the head by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan on October 9, 2012, for speaking out against them, demanding that girls have the right to go to school.
She was flown to Britain for specialist care and made a remarkable recovery, going on to become a global ambassador for children's rights.
The 16-year-old has written an autobiography, addressed the United Nations and set up the Malala Fund.
On Thursday, she won the prestigious Sakharov human rights prize from the European parliament and has been tipped as a firm favorite for the Nobel Peace Prize.
"If I got the Nobel Peace Prize I think it would be such a great honor and more than I deserve," she said.
"The Nobel Peace Prize would help me to begin this campaign for girls' education."
The real prize, she said, would be to see every child, black or white, Christian or Muslim, boy or girl, go to school and "for that I will struggle and work hard."
She paid tribute to previous Nobel laureates, including scientist Abdus Salam who in 1979 won the prize for physics - Pakistan's only Nobel to date.
"Everyone who has got a Nobel prize, they deserve it but when I think of myself I think I have a lot to do," she told Amanpour.
The TTP have threatened to try to assassinate her again and security was tight for her public event in New York late Thursday.
"They can only shoot a body, they cannot shoot my dreams," Malala said.
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COMMENTS (83)
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She can't be the PM of Pakistan as she is neither Malala Bhutto/Zardari nor Malala Sharif. And besides, it's too early to say about the future. As soon as the media gets another attractive name (with a more miserable background) to sell, they'll move on and Malala will fade away.
Poor kid, she is being used by these Western powers for PR to defame Pakistan. These same foreign powers fund the TTP, use it to malign the Afghan Taliban in Pakistan, and use TTP to launch attacks against Afghan Taliban, Kashmiri groups, and Pakistan army. I hope she wakes up and helps the people of Pakistan, rather than furthering foreign meddling in Pakistan.
It is simply ridiculous! The west have blown her ego so much that she has taken off into the sky and refuses to come down. When extremist pumped a bullet into her head, it seems, sense has taken leave of her. If a lucky escape from an extremist's bullet is a qualification for PMship in Pakistan, there will be a big crowd competing for the post! The sooner she stops her egoistic and nonsensical statements and interviews the better!
@Singh: @hmm: look who’s lecturing us lol – did India ever had a woman PM? : How can you forget 1971 loss to India. And PM was Indira Gandhi. I hope you will not forget this for rest of your life. @Shazia luftwal: In picture Christiane Amanpour is not her Mom. She is CNN contributor.
No point in trying to educate us or point to the errors. We are legends in our own minds in tradition of our fearless and legendary leaders like Zia, Musharraf and above all Altaf "bhai." We refuse to believe that someone named Mrs Indra Gandhi ever existed, that General Niazi, ever surrendered to Gen Jagjeet singh Arora, he just beat every body else with his "Tigerous" leaps to get to the Race Course. And see, he won! We "Real Pakistanis" don't learn from history, we either fix it and correct the "wrong" version; to our correct "Pakistani" rendition!
@Shazia luftwal: In picture Christiane Amanpour is not her Mom. She is CNN contributor.
@hmm: look who’s lecturing us lol – did India ever had a woman PM? : How can you forget 1971 loss to India. And PM was Indira Gandhi. I hope you will not forget this for rest of your life. Singh ET Please publish this. This kid might born after 1971.
Malala is still a small young girl. SHE HAS NOT YET COMPLETED HER EDUCATION She has shown no extraordinary talent in the field of education. Let her complete her education. She has been given unduly importance by western nations simply due to their opposition of talibans. She belongs to a middle class family and there are remote chances of becoming successful politicians and become a Prime Minister of the country.
Sure you can be the PM but make sure you develop some leadership skills. Our leaders have been missing just that for a while. Thats a whole different theater.
This is your own imagination?Or somebody provoke you?
Puppet and puppeteer. Both visible in the pic. Dont forget that a puppeteer accompanies the puppet - everywhere. Unfortunately, torture on Malala continues. Cant feel enough sorrow for the helpless girl. Liberal fascists! Please dont open your beaks. 'Oscared' Sharmeen should be enough to make you disappear.
Malala, good people do not win elections in Pakistan. We Pakistanies never choose good leaders. As you can see in comments, people already have objection on your ambition. If you want to win you got to play some ethinic card, may be you can play both pakhtoon and punjabi card and may be with lots of money (if you win nobel - which I doubt) you can win elections.
Yup,never mind the Nobel,the Prime Minister's post would be a good consolation prize.
and i want to become a Iron Man in the future :P
This will be one of the biggest covert operations of the gamers.. loving every bit of it
@Kaleem:
You summed it up so well Kaleem!
Malala - please go an study! All you wanted was to go to a school and now that you HAVE a school to go to, you are always travelling!
WOW!! How very typical. Miss Malala Pakistanis are getting tired of importing their PMs!!
No more puppet plz
That is one great photo of Malala and her Mom and Dad ...we love you Malala !!
Some people on here are just pathetic and this lot are the ones that bring Pakistan down. Malala is only a child and she took a bullet for what she believed in. What values you lot hold? Yes, I understand there have been many victims in Pakistan and that makes me angry, too.
Stand up for something and then talk.
Great for Malala for making the best out of a tragic situation (and I hope the vermin who shot her are now seething with rage that their actions opened up a world of unimaginable opportunities for her), but her father seriously needs to milking his daughter's situation for all that it's worth. He's putting her at unnecessary risk by wanting her to be famous, and she usually has nothing specific to say about what to do about the education situation in this country apart from populist media-friendly slogans like "I want education for all" - I don't blame her, she's too young to figure any of it out.
Her father has a cushy job at the UN and Pakistani consulate in UK, she attends a posh private school there and her family is settled there. I think it's best for Malala to follow her dreams of becoming a doctor and live comfortably in a society that values her ambition instead of becoming an unwanted spokesperson for this hellhole of a country. Also, it's confusing why her mother still isn't allowed to talk to other men.
True and honest people cann't be the PM of PK, exmple Imran Khan because PK'nz do not like it.
@Kaleem:
You need to look up "Stockholm Syndrome". You're not alone, most of this country's population suffers from it.
she is the brightest star among our corrupt lot and we need such a personality like Malala to lead this county to take it out of abyss.....she will be the Khomeini of Pakistan...isnha Allah.
Thanks for your expectation.But you have to make yourself accordingly.
Aww !! She could n't won the Nobel !! tsk tsk tsk !!!
If Nawaz Shareef can be a PM, why not Malala ( an ordinalry Pakistani girl)? We should be happy for her....Whats wrong with you people!
I guess i did say something vital that you filtered my post. Thanks for the enlightenment
Malala probably is still carrying the bullet in her head.. Which sane person would want to be PM of Pakistan?
Malala is getting a little over the top here. She should come back to Pakistan as an ambassador for education. The problem exists here and not in newyork or london.
Yesterday I saw the Interview of Malala and I was utterly disappointed when she was telling that Taiban force all the Pakistani girls not to go to school. The Stereotyping of the whole of Pakistan as the Taliban land where no Girl gets education is appalling for me. I belong from a Small village near Khushab Punjab and Just give a small message to Malala that kindly visit our region where in the morning almost every house send their girls to school and there is no threat to them and there are no Taliban there. Also we dont degrade our women and we are moderates and no one Even do Burqa in villages of North Punjab.
Kindly dont give false stereotypes of the Whole Pakistani Society. Kindly dont portray the whole land of Pakistan as the land where Girls are like living in Caves with no access to education at all. Yesterday My one friend in Europe asked me that did my sister go to school since Malala told the world media that whole of Pakistan is same and now their Stereotype will remain in the minds of the people for many years to come.
Now She has landed among the wolves!! May God protect her and bring her back home to the land of her ancestors and the brave ones. She needs peace and dignity for herself and her poverty stricken people which the glamour and bizaare New Yorkers cannot give her.
Rex Minor
my vote is for you malala
The great game has only just starting to unravel!
Such pathetic audience we are. Noting pleases our fickle and controversial mindset. She is just a teenager who is expressing her aspirations out of her desire to help her fellow citizens. She has much to learn and I am sure in time she would realize how and what capacity she can contribute to this country. Must say we Pakistanis have critically short memories. We make new villains and heroes everyday
@Hassan Rizvi: This kid will have to be pretty special, right? Definitely more than you as a keyboard warrior? Think about it!
She had waged a war for the promotion of education as Taliban were not allowing girls to go to schools. Her critics if not are hypocrites must stop sending their daughters and sisters going to school. If they still allow their girls to go schools, then stop criticizing Malala as she was fighting for your daughters and sisters as well.
@hmm: You obviously don't know much beyond the corrupt politicians of Pakistan. I don't blame you but that does not mean this can never happen. Not in favor of or against Malala. Just against mindless conspiracy theories.
@hmm: @Four: look who’s lecturing us lol – did India ever had a woman PM? :) Ever heard of Indira Gandhi?
My message to all those who criticize Malala---you represent a mentality from the darkness. You all know that our country is seriously suffering from image-deficit. Malala has improved this image to some extent. If you love Pakistan love Malala.
@hmm: She is just a 16 year old kid with more integrity than all Pakistani politicians. Doesn't understand your sarcastic comments.
Disclaimer: Its very sad what happened to the girl and in principle do find it superb what she is doing personally but....
Heard the following in a western news: "Malala has received the European Sacharow prize as she tries to enable women education in her country Pakistan".
One would infer from this that Pakistan, as a state, does not allow ANY women education and she being the angelic girl wants this bad Pakistan country (that does not allow any women education) to allow women education. Its barbaric what happened to her but Pakistan isn't that bad as western wants to portrait it. Ask those girls who study in jeans at the Beaconhouse, LUMS or FAST etc. Yes, Pakistan has to improve in this regard but to give the world an impression that the state is against it, is total crap. My contention is only that this Malala phenomena is loosing its core basic premise - that being the TTP is the culprit. Now, though, it seems its being tried to display Pakistan, as a state, as the one who is doing all wrong (well...although it is doing mostly wrong). ...... and not far from now you will see the western media with news that crimes against humanity are committed in Pakistan (... which does not allow women education...) and the world needs to intervene.
Relax guys....
We had a woman PM in past. She never made a women university in her home town Larkana. When she decided to go against West policies and blew whistle on OBL death she was shot. Are you sure Malala want to tread that path?
Something that a kid says is enough for a front page headline?......must be kidding me.
PTI trolls have swarmed the place. Well, don't worry, this poor girl will not dethrone your dear Imran Khan. You guys can keep worshipping him.
She know the bright chances to become rich after becoming Pakistani Prime Minister. Welcome you in the race of Zardari and Nawaz Sharif. We assure you that Pakistani voters are still so foolish and innocent.
Well thats not somthing new we have had imported presidents and prime minister also. She can be imported for this job one thing more this means Pakistan is going in more turmoil in 10 to 12 years, till she is brought in pakistan again. we have a legacy of inferiority complex for everyone who rises from lower/middle class, any other class person accepted easily
Malala is nothing but a puppet. its all just a part of game plan. There are several names who have sacrifised their lives for human rights and education but none of them has been encouraged so far as Malala has been. I dont remember any great work of Malala for human rights or education, the attack of Taliban on her, just a made up story. thousand of peoples are killed by the terrorists but why Malala to give such importance. Western world is tired of old puppets, now they are creating the new one.
She is brave and bold but can not handle Pakistan dirty polotices it is better she should complete her education and her dreams of educating all boys & girls of Pakistan with her prizes she got in Pakistan education rate is very low and we all have to help her to get it done,if she is not an agent of USA/UK/EUROPR ?
I feel sorry for the poor child. She has been deprived of normal childhood because some "grownups" had their own agenda. In the West this would be treated as child abuse and she would be removed from her parents' home by Child Protection Services.
Poor kid. She is being used. I bet she knows nothing about the murky world of politics. If she wants to do good to the society, she doesn't have to be a PM. Mother Teresa, Martin Lurther King Jr were never prime ministers. In your own country Abdus Sattar Edhi has never been in politics, yet he is respected all over the world for his charity work. Edhi would have been a deserving candidate for Nobel prize, but poor chap was not even nominated for it. Malala should have concentrated on her studies and worked for the uplift of the poor and downtrodden through charity organisations. That way she would have become an icon. With her constant political rhetorics she is losing whatever respect she has got.
Some of the comments here are absolutely disgusting. If she wants to a prime minister of Pakistan so what then? what is wrong with the idea? Just because she is abroad, she becomes a tool for the western propaganda to control Pakistan.
@Four: look who's lecturing us lol - did India ever had a woman PM? :) and FYI the criticism is not in anyway related to her gender, and not even on her, but on her handlers who are controling her.
Politics is a dirty, dirty business. I wish Malala doesn't join politics!
@Ahmed: And how many of those in power have worked for poverty reduction or peace or disarmament of warheads? Not even 1%. Compare this to those who worked tirelessly, and are working, for the cause of humanity & nature who never held any powerful position in the Govt.
Malala can definitely become the Prime Minister of Pakistan one day and there is no doubt in it.
But before becoming the Prime Minister should should complete her studies and then form her own political party.
I wish Malala all the best in her future endeavors.
Wow, can't believe people are bashing a kid for wanting to be the prime minister. I guess in their book Pakistani women are only good for being housewives. You people disgust me.
We need people like her to represent and lead our country. She is now a nightmare for Taliban and their supporters who failed to silence her. Education is a basic human right of every child.
I respect her, I wish her all the best in the good steps she takes. She is a bright gem. I am however afraid that this limelight might fuel the negative attributes of in her. I pray that it never happen and she becomes a spiritual, honest, sincere protagonist for mankind. She has a audience, which most of us don't have, and it matters. Regarding her wish to become PM. I have no issues with her becoming PM in future if she is capable then. However, it would have been much better if she had wished for becoming a learned lady and serving the nation.
for Pakistan's sake I wish it would happen.
Reminds me of the movie: "Wag the Dog"
I can bet her husband will become president for sure.
ill vote for her
InshAllah western powers will decline now as we are already seeing in international politics. There plans will not work
The long term plan of anti-Pakistan forces. The more recognition this kid gets globally, stronger is the resentment within the people of Pakistan against this poor kid. I dont think she knows the evil plan of the west. Lets not target this kid, but the real enemies.
Oh, btw, Malala, will your father be a president or a powerful minister, in your supposed Govt which you are thinking of right now :) ? jiye another family political party in the making, i'm feeling so blessed & hopeful for our future :)
ALL my support and all my votes till i die for you dear Malala ...
She can run for the Prime Minister's office if she wants but if she claims she is going to solve all the problems within 90 days no one will vote for her....
"They" are grooming her now....
Well said, Faisal. I'm sick of listening to this "Malala's rhetoric" as she was the only victim of going through such tragedies, which is very common these days. Actually, her "camera-face" sells pretty well.
@hmm: Power, my friend, is not necessarily a bad thing. All great people have had power. Not saying Malala is great but don't bring ridiculous conspiracy theories into it.
Enough of Malala please. I sympathize with her for the attack, but all Pakistanis are victims. We are living boldly under such circumstances for past 12 years, this little fellow has already settled in UK. We have lost our dear ones, but have not fled the country. Our soldiers, my far off relatives also died in bomb attacks, but we will remain in this country and we will die here.
so the cat is outta bag FINALLY
Now that you ve become a celebrity by stroke of luck, Malala please get groomed at some high end saloon in NY. Shabby outlook also projects negative image of the country.
She will surely be the next PM as this is the ultimate goal of her implantation in order to glorify the western and US interests in the name of their approved human values.
I wish she said that when she was in Pk. I would love to vote her in but the announcement timing is wrong i.e from place where she made the announcement made her look like a controlled pupit.
She has great ambition for Pakistan , i hope they can be turned to reality for betterment of Pakistan.
:Seems like the bullet is still in her head. :))
So all this is in preparation for attaining power, is that your end goal? hmm