Education had been a great gift for him [Ziauddin]. He believed that lack of education was the root of all the Pakistan's problems. Ignorance allowed politicians to fool people and bad administrators to be reelected. He believed schooling should be available for all, rich and poor, boys and girls.

We liked to be known as the clever girls. When we decorated our hands with henna for holidays and weddings, we drew calculus and chemical formulae instead of flowers and butterflies.

I am not here to speak against the Taliban. I'm here to speak up for the right of every child.

The best way to fight terrorism is to do it through a peaceful way. I believe that a war can never be ended by a war.

Why is it, that giving guns is so easy, but giving books is so hard?

If you hit a Talib, then there would be no difference between you and the Talib. You must not treat others with cruelty. You must fight others through peace and through dialogue and through education.

Do not wait for me to do something for your rights. It's your world and you can change it.