LONDON: Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai has expressed optimism about Pakistan’s future, saying the country’s educated and motivated youth are playing an important role in driving national progress through education and modern knowledge.

Speaking to Geo News in Central London after attending a round-table discussion on education reform, Malala said young Pakistanis were increasingly focused on innovation, stability and development. The event brought together professionals, creators and influencers to discuss ways to improve educational standards in Pakistan.

Malala said education, particularly for girls, remained central to Pakistan’s long-term progress. She added that women must play an active role in shaping the country’s future through equal access to learning and opportunities.

The gathering was organised by Hamza Chishti, Director of Cloud and AI Innovation at Microsoft, in collaboration with the Malala Fund. According to Chishti, the aim was to bring together influential Pakistanis to discuss innovation, education and technology-driven development for the country.

Education forum in London

Before attending the luncheon meeting, Malala addressed the UK government’s Education World Forum in London alongside UK Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson. Education ministers from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, along with international delegates, also attended the conference.

During her address, Malala highlighted challenges faced by girls seeking education in conflict-affected regions, including Palestine, Lebanon and Afghanistan. She referred to restrictions on girls’ education in Afghanistan under Taliban rule and spoke about the resilience of students continuing their studies despite barriers.

She also shared the example of the Shangla Girls School in Pakistan, saying the institution now educates more than 1,000 students despite earlier doubts about whether a girls’ secondary school could succeed in the remote area.

Several Pakistani professionals, activists and content creators attended the London event, including representatives linked to education, media and public advocacy initiatives.