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Malala Yousafzai returns to Pakistan for first time since shooting Malala Yousafzai returns to Pakistan for first time since shooting
(35 minutes later)
Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai has returned to Pakistan for the first time since being shot by Taliban militants.Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai has returned to Pakistan for the first time since being shot by Taliban militants.
Ms Yousafzai, now aged 20 and a vocal human rights activist, was shot in the head by a gunman for campaigning for female education in 2012.Ms Yousafzai, now aged 20 and a vocal human rights activist, was shot in the head by a gunman for campaigning for female education in 2012.
Soon after arriving she met Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. In an emotional speech at the prime minister's office, she said it had been her dream to return "without any fear".
Details of the trip have been kept secret "in view of the sensitivity", officials say. Details of the surprise trip are being kept secret for security reasons.
Pakistani television broadcast video that appeared to show her with her parents at Islamabad's Benazir Bhutto International Airport under tight security. Pakistani television broadcast video showing her arriving with her parents at Islamabad's Benazir Bhutto International Airport under tight security.
The trip is expected to last four days and she arrived with officials from her Malala Fund group, local media report. "Always it has been my dream that I should go to Pakistan and there, in peace and without any fear, I can move on streets, I can meet people, I can talk to people," Ms Yousafzai said in a televised address from the PM's house in Islamabad.
It has not been confirmed if she will visit her family's hometown of Swat in the country's rural north-west during her visit. "And I think that it's my old home again... so it is actually happening, and I am grateful to all of you."
The trip is expected to last four days. Officials from her Malala Fund group are travelling with her, local media report.
It has not been confirmed if she will visit her family's hometown of Swat, once a militant stronghold, in the country's rural north-west during her visit.
Many on Twitter called for a warm welcome for the activist after news of her overnight homecoming broke.Many on Twitter called for a warm welcome for the activist after news of her overnight homecoming broke.
Why go home now?Why go home now?
By Secunder Kermani, BBC News, IslamabadBy Secunder Kermani, BBC News, Islamabad
Malala's shooting caused international outrage and came amid a bloody struggle between the Pakistani state and Islamist militants. Her return brings home the change that has occurred in Pakistan.Malala's shooting caused international outrage and came amid a bloody struggle between the Pakistani state and Islamist militants. Her return brings home the change that has occurred in Pakistan.
Security in the country has greatly improved in recent years, with the number of attacks carried out by militants drastically reduced. Nevertheless it's unclear if she will visit her home region in the Swat Valley, where her foundation recently opened a school for girls.Security in the country has greatly improved in recent years, with the number of attacks carried out by militants drastically reduced. Nevertheless it's unclear if she will visit her home region in the Swat Valley, where her foundation recently opened a school for girls.
News of her arrival has been received enthusiastically here. But some Pakistanis have long been critics of Malala, favouring conspiracy theories claiming she is "a Western agent" or was actually shot by the CIA.News of her arrival has been received enthusiastically here. But some Pakistanis have long been critics of Malala, favouring conspiracy theories claiming she is "a Western agent" or was actually shot by the CIA.
For many others Pakistanis, though, Malala is a source of great pride, and now she's finally come home.For many others Pakistanis, though, Malala is a source of great pride, and now she's finally come home.
Why was she attacked?Why was she attacked?
At just 11, Ms Yousafzai began writing an anonymous diary for BBC Urdu about her life under Taliban rule.At just 11, Ms Yousafzai began writing an anonymous diary for BBC Urdu about her life under Taliban rule.
She later became a vocal advocate of female education amid militant suppression in Pakistan, and was deliberately attacked on a school bus at the age of 15. Malala's story brought international attention.She later became a vocal advocate of female education amid militant suppression in Pakistan, and was deliberately attacked on a school bus at the age of 15. Malala's story brought international attention.
The Pakistani Taliban said at the time that they shot her because she was "pro-West" and "promoting Western culture in Pashtun areas".The Pakistani Taliban said at the time that they shot her because she was "pro-West" and "promoting Western culture in Pashtun areas".
The teenager sustained life-threatening injuries in the attack, and had to have part of her skull removed to relieve swelling on her brain.The teenager sustained life-threatening injuries in the attack, and had to have part of her skull removed to relieve swelling on her brain.
After receiving emergency treatment at a military hospital in Pakistan, she was transported to the UK for further treatment and to recover in Birmingham, where her family continue to live.After receiving emergency treatment at a military hospital in Pakistan, she was transported to the UK for further treatment and to recover in Birmingham, where her family continue to live.
What has she done since?What has she done since?
Since her recovery, Ms Yousafzai has continued to speak up for children's education and rights around the world.Since her recovery, Ms Yousafzai has continued to speak up for children's education and rights around the world.
She set up the Malala Fund with her father Ziauddin, with the goal of "working for a world where every girl can learn and lead without fear".She set up the Malala Fund with her father Ziauddin, with the goal of "working for a world where every girl can learn and lead without fear".
In 2014 she became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She and Indian activist Kailash Satyarthi were jointly awarded it for their efforts for children's rights.In 2014 she became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She and Indian activist Kailash Satyarthi were jointly awarded it for their efforts for children's rights.
She has continued campaigning while pursuing her studies, and is now studying at Oxford University.She has continued campaigning while pursuing her studies, and is now studying at Oxford University.
Is Pakistan still dangerous?Is Pakistan still dangerous?
Despite security efforts in recent years, the Pakistani Taliban has remained active.Despite security efforts in recent years, the Pakistani Taliban has remained active.
They have been blamed for a number of deadly attacks on schools and colleges that have killed hundreds.They have been blamed for a number of deadly attacks on schools and colleges that have killed hundreds.
Ms Yousafzai repeatedly expressed her wishes to return to Pakistan, describing her hometown of Swat as "paradise on earth" in an interview earlier this month.Ms Yousafzai repeatedly expressed her wishes to return to Pakistan, describing her hometown of Swat as "paradise on earth" in an interview earlier this month.
"I have received a lot of support in my country," she told US talk-show host David Letterman in a Netflix special."I have received a lot of support in my country," she told US talk-show host David Letterman in a Netflix special.
"There is this lust for change. People want to see change in their country. I am already doing work there but I want my feet to touch that land.""There is this lust for change. People want to see change in their country. I am already doing work there but I want my feet to touch that land."
Pakistan is religiously conservative and late last year Ms Yousafzai was trolled online after a picture of her in Oxford wearing western clothes - jeans and heeled boots - was shared on social media.Pakistan is religiously conservative and late last year Ms Yousafzai was trolled online after a picture of her in Oxford wearing western clothes - jeans and heeled boots - was shared on social media.
In 2010 a Pakistani court jailed 10 men for life for involvement in the attack on Ms Yousafzai. They do not include the man named as the chief suspect, who the authorities say is still on the run.