Washington, D.C.: An alarming trend of attacks on girls' schools in Pakistan has drawn international condemnation, reminiscent of the brutal 2012 attack on Malala Yousafzai by Taliban militants in the Swat Valley. Malala, who survived and became a global advocate for women's education, symbolizes resilience in a country where many girls still face severe barriers to education.

Recently, unknown armed men have been setting fire to girls' schools, significantly disrupting education across regions like Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kech, and Panjgur. This disturbing pattern escalated with the arson of a girls’ middle school in Surab district, central Balochistan, in late May, following a similar attack on a school in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The incidents, reported by Dawn, noted a surge in school attacks in North and South Waziristan. On May 9, terrorists set fire to a private girls’ school in South Waziristan's Shawa area. These assaults have drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which condemned the attacks as cowardly acts that jeopardize the futures of young girls.

“Schools must always remain safe learning environments to protect the growth and healthy development of children, adolescents, and young people,” said Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan.

In an opinion piece titled "Girls’ schools under attack," The Express Tribune emphasized that these attacks not only instill fear but also undermine efforts towards educational and gender equality. The newspaper called for immediate government action, including the use of surveillance cameras and increased security to prevent future attacks. It questioned the underlying motives, suggesting ideological opposition to girls' education might be a driving factor.

The Express Tribune urged the Shehbaz Sharif-led government to take decisive action, warning that failure to protect educational institutions would hamper Pakistan’s progress. Similarly, Dawn published an opinion piece warning that continuous attacks would deter families from sending their daughters to school, especially in tribal areas and Balochistan. The article stressed the moral obligation of the state to safeguard children's academic freedom and equality of opportunity.

An article by Saira Batada in The Express Tribune highlighted the significant gender disparity in educational access in Pakistan, with the net enrolment rate for girls significantly lower than for boys. Early marriage and sociocultural norms further restrict educational opportunities for girls, particularly in rural areas.

As attacks on girls' schools continue, advocacy groups and international bodies stress the importance of protecting educational institutions. The government of Pakistan is urged to take robust measures to ensure the safety and education of girls, seeing it as an investment in the country's future.