Malala’s father Ziauddin Yousafzai decries “dishonest” campaign to defame her

WEB DESK: World’s youngest Nobel laurette and women’s rights activist Malala Yousafzai is under discussion again for the infamous discourse about her credibility as an activist or as many Pakistanis like to dub, an ‘agent’. The video titled Activist or Agent? The Untold Story of Malala by Raftaar, paints Malala in a different light to which her father took to social media against her daughter being maligned.

The video, which highlights the story of Swat’s hero Haji Zahid Khan, concludes by drawing a critical and implicit parallel to Malala. Ziauddin condemned the effort as a “strange feat” and a “long saga of trolls arranged from an angle of malice and enmity.”

He pointed out a fundamental contradiction, noting that the documentary not only unfairly targets Malala but also does an injustice to Haji Zahid Khan himself. “The world knows his bravery,” Ziauddin stated, “and he always expressed pride in Malala.” He argued that this “high-speed mixing of truth and falsehood” undermines the entire narrative’s seriousness.

Addressing specific accusations, Ziauddin refuted the claim that Malala bears any responsibility for Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling the suggestion “blatantly biased and deeply dishonest.” He pointed out that the documentary “willfully ignores Malala’s clear condemnations of Israel’s genocide, her repeated public statements, and the Malala Fund’s generous support for Gaza’s women and children.”

Beyond defending his daughter, Ziauddin issued a broader appeal to Pakistan’s youth. In a separate tweet, he advised focusing on one’s own dreams rather than tearing down others, urging young people to take practical steps with “good intentions, love, and positive thinking” to improve society. His response frames the attack on Malala not just as a personal slight, but as part of a negative and unproductive culture he urges the nation to move beyond.

Raftaar also responded to Yousufzai urging him to watch the full video.

Some people also felt that the video was uncalled for while some echoed the sentiments reflected in it.