President Zardari in Paris for Malala-UNESCO conference

PARIS: President Asif Ali Zardari arrived here on Sunday afternoon to attend important conference on "Stand up for Malala-Stand up for girl's right to education jointly being organized by Pakistan and UNESCO at its Paris headquarters.

The President came to Paris from London, where he visited Malala Yousafzai at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, to see for himself her health condition.

President Zardari was received warmly at the Orley Air Port by Pakistan's ambassador to France Shafqat Saeed, French ambassador to Pakistan Philippe Thiebaud and officials of French government and
UNESCO.

The event will pay tribute to Malala Yousafazi, an astonishingly brave 15 year old girl who survived an assassination attempt for her determined efforts to defend girls' education in Pakistan, after the Taliban outlawed schools for girls in her native Swat Valley.

A special Malala Fund will be established on this occasion to raise the funds for girl's education through out the world and Pakistan will announce to provide seed money to establish this Fund.

The event coincides with International Human Rights Day and it will bring together representatives of governments, UN partners, international and bilateral organizations, foundations, donors, civil society, academics, religious leaders, eminent personalities and other stakeholders.

Prime Minister of France Jean-Marc Aryalt, UN Special Envoy for Global Education and former Prime Minister of UK Gordon Brown and many other leaders will also attend the conference.

During his visit to Birmingham the President inquired about the health conditions of Ms. Malala Yousafzai from the hospital administration.

The President was informed that Malala was steadily progressing and had made great progress on way to full recovery.

The President accompanied by Aseefa Bhutto Zardari remained with Malala for sometime.

This was first ever meeting of Malala with anyone outside her immediate family.
Malala was overjoyed and overwhelmed by the President's kind gesture to specially visit her. Ms Aseefa Bhutto Zardari presented
a shawl to Malala on the occasion.

The President expressed satisfaction and congratulated Malala over the steady progress she had made on way to full recovery.

Zia-ud-Din Yousafzai the father of Malala was also present on the occasion.

The President said that taking care of Malala was a national responsibility and it was reassuring that the government machinery
rose to the occasion.

The President also congratulated Zia-ud-din on fast recovery of his daughter and assured the Government's continued support to Malala and her friends Shazia and Kainaat. (APP)