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Malala breaks silence on Kashmir issue, condemns Indian atrocities

Dunya News

Malala requested world leaders at UNGA to work towards peace in Kashmir.

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai finally broke her silence on Kashmir issue while condemning Indian atrocities in the occupied valley and urged world leaders to work towards peace in the region.

Social activist took to Twitter and expressed that she spent time talking to people living and working in Kashmir to be aware of the ongoing situation in the occupied valley, “In the last week, I’ve spent time speaking with people living and working in Kashmir; journalists, human rights lawyers and students.”

She continued saying that it was hard for her to get the stories of Kashmiri girls owing to communication blackout by India, “I wanted to hear directly from girls living in Kashmir right now. It took a lot of work from a lot of people to get their stories because of the communications blackout. Kashmiris are cut off from the world and unable to make their voices heard. #LetKashmirSpeak"

She started sharing the stories of three different residents of the occupied Kashmir. One of the stories told that the silence is prevailing in the streets of Kashmir, and all they could hear is the footsteps of the Indian troops, "Here is what three girls told me, in their own words: “The best way to describe the situation in Kashmir right now is absolute silence. We have no way of finding out what’s happening to us. All we could hear is the steps of troops outside our windows. It was really scary.”

Malala posted another of a Kashmiri girl which felt depressed and insecure about her future, “I feel purposeless and depressed because I can’t go to school. I missed my exams on August 12 and I feel my future is insecure now. I want to be a writer and grow to be an independent, successful Kashmiri woman. But it seems to be getting more difficult as this continues.”

“People speaking out for us adds to our hope. I am longing for the day when Kashmir will be free of the misery we’ve been going through for decades,” story of another girl shared by Malala.

Nobel Laureate expressed concerns for the detained Kashmiris and students who aren’t able to attend school in the prevailing 40-day-long curfew, "I am deeply concerned about reports of 4,000 people, including children, arbitrarily arrested & jailed, about students who haven’t been able to attend school for more than 40 days, about girls who are afraid to leave their homes.”

Malala concluded by requesting the global bodies to raise the voice for Kashmiris and to work towards peace in the valley, "I am asking leaders, at UNGA and beyond, to work towards peace in Kashmir, listen to Kashmiri voices and help children go safely back to school.”

Malala criticized earlier for not raising voice on Kashmir issue

Earlier, Mathira lambasted Malala for talking about new iPhone, but not about Kashmir when Malala Yousafzai posted a picture of her dress being witty about the launch of new iPhone but faced harsh back lash by renowned celebrity Mathira and others.

Malala posted a picture to show uncanny resemblance with Apple new iPhone’s triple camera showing her three-circles embroidered dress, “Is this just a coincidence that I wore this dress on the same day as Apple iPhone 11’s launch #iPhone11”

However, it back lashed and people criticized her for not raising her voice for Kashmir and talking about the iPhone instead. Among her many critics, Pakistani host Mathira also took to the social media and rebutted Malala for talking about Kashmir or recent Priyanka Chopra controversy.

“First of all, she has the time to post about iPhone stuff why not Kashmir, I don’t get it. Her one tweet against Priyanka and Kashmir will help but she is worried about her dress and iPhone,” expressed Mathira.

In response to Mathira’s comment, veteran actor Aaminah Haq came out in support of Malala and took a dig at publications supporting Mathira.

Veteran actress Aaminah Haq responded by supporting Malala and took a jab at publications and others for backing Mathira’s comment.

Mathira responded and applauded actor Mehwish Hayat for speaking up. “People should use their platform in a nice way. Mehwish Hayat is one of the greatest examples she used her press her platform and because she was brave,” she asserted.

“To cut the long story short, I don’t think that one Pakistani woman needs to bring another Pakistani woman down and should support and praise each other”, Haq replied.

Malala has replied to none of the remarks.  

Malala‘s tweet triggered the internet and faced sever back lash by users. 

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