Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousafzai returned to Pakistan earlier today in her first visit since she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman six years ago.
The 20-year-old's unannounced arrival with her parents under tight security at Islamabad's international airport overnight has been met with a tsunami of social media reactions, with many Pakistanis hailing her bravery but others accusing her of a conspiracy to foment dissent.
Twitterati reactions:
'Never say never about Malala'
This is just the most glorious thing. ‘She’ll never return to Pakistan’ I’ve heard so often. Never say never about #MalalaYousafzai. Welcome home, @Malala and @ZiauddinY https://t.co/VM7FnbeuPM
— Kamila Shamsie (@kamilashamsie) March 28, 2018
A warm welcome:
Lots of love & prayers to dearest @Malala on her return to Pakistan#MalalaYousafzai
— Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) March 28, 2018
She returned. Some thought it would never happen. Some didn't want it to happen. But it did. A great moment for #Pakistan. #MalalaYousafzai
— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) March 28, 2018
I welcome #MalalaYousafzai the brave and resilient daughter of Pakistan back to her country.
— Syed Ali Raza Abidi (@abidifactor) March 28, 2018
Bold move indeed #MalalaYousafzai
— Rabia Effendi (@RabiaEffendi) March 29, 2018
Must also make note of how far Pakistan has come since.. welcome back! @Malala
'Tall and victorious'
This poor child #MalalaYousafzai left pakistan in an ambulance
— Amber (@dmtamber) March 29, 2018
unconscious
in 5 1/2 yrs she’s been away
she won Nobel prize
completed school
started uni at oxford
has done more for girls’ education then our combined well funded NGOs
Now she’s back tall & victorious!
Take that!
'Bigger victims than Malala'
The contentious personality of all time, still unable to understand why all those awards and funds for one particular lady! In Pakistan there is a much bigger victim of terror around us, why not them? #MalalaYousafzai #Malala #SpecialSecurity
— saeedkhan (@saeedkhan) March 29, 2018
'Stop the hate'
Stop hating her because she is famous and loved by millions around the world. Stop asking stupid questions like "Isney is Mulk ky liye kiya kya hey?" She was mere kid when she got shot at & who gives YOU the right to ask her to do anything for Pakistan ? #MalalaYousafzai
— Zayn Ra (@iZaynRa) March 28, 2018
'Mystery girl'
Mala lala lala you're maybe very sweet to talk to, but you're very mysterious to about!! Anyhow have a good time here! #MalalaYousafzai
— Q. (@Annieejazz) March 29, 2018
'The real enemy'
Dear Pakistanis! Malala is not your enemy. Your enemies were those monsters who shot her point blank on her way to school. Welcome home #MalalaYousafzai
— Rafiullah khan (@rafiullahkhan22) March 29, 2018
Returned to support Nawaz Sharif? Really?
Na Trump mana k NS masoom hai usay bachaya jaye ar na hi Saudi Arabia walay manay k NS ya uss ka khandaan masoom hai. Ab Pmln ne #MalalaYousafzai ko apnay dukh drd batanay bulaya hai takay ye duniya ko apnay tor pr bataye k Sharif khandan bht masoom hai.
— Fake Philosopher (@frisky515) March 29, 2018
Awkward moment?
That awkward moment when you come to your own country as a foreign visitor!#MalalaYousafzai
— Armeena Raza ???????? (@ArmeenaRaza) March 29, 2018
'Dead or unacceptable'
Pakistanis will never accept #MalalaYousafzai because she didn't die
— Ushna (@ush_push) March 29, 2018
Malala is widely respected internationally for her activism, but opinion is divided in Pakistan where some conservatives view her as a Western agent on a mission to shame her country.
