UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has written a letter to the parents of Malala Yusafzai.

The secretary-general handed over the letter, addressed to Malala’s parents, to Pakistan's new permanent representative to the UN, Masood Khan, during a meeting on Friday.  Ban said he had already issued a strong statement condemning the cowardly act perpetrated against the 14-year old girl. "Malala is a role model not only for your country, but for our world," the secretary-general remarked, adding that education was a fundamental right for everybody. He further maintained that the UN was partnering with the people of Pakistan in their struggle to promote education.
Ambassador Masood Khan said the Pakistani leadership and the entire nation had condemned the abominable act of violence against Malala. "The whole nation is united against this kind of obscurantism. Malala has been an icon for education for girls and an inspiration for the international community," the ambassador observed. Khan informed the secretary-general that the Pakistan government and all segments of civil society were committed to the promotion and protection of all human rights, including the right to education. It may be mentioned here that the Pakistan's Mission to the United Nations in New York has sent Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's letter to the parents of Malala through the Foreign Office.