Chessington councillor aims to open school for girls in Pakistani (From Kingston Guardian)

Chessington councillor aims to open school for girls in Pakistani

4:13pm Friday 30th November 2012 in News

A Chessington councillor has announced plans to open a school for girls in his native country of Pakistan.

Councillor Shiraz Mirza said he felt inspired by 14-year-old Pakistani girl Malala Yousafzai who was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen after promoting education for women in the country.

He said: “This was a very inspiring story by a young girl and it made me want to do something for all the other girls in Pakistan that need education. This is not going to happen overnight, but I will make sure that it happens.”

More than £1,000 has already been raised for the cause by donors who attended the third anniversary of the Shiraz Mirza Trust, held in Old Malden this month.

Coun Mirza said: “There is so much goodwill and generosity in Kingston. People here always reach out for a good cause. I have a lot of support.”

The search is on for land to place the Royal Kingston Girls School Lahore.