Pakistan: October 11, 2012. (PCP) Mr. James Rehmat, Convener PTA and Mr. Suba Sroya Advocate, Deputy Convener PTA, Peace and Tolerance Alliance, an alliance of human rights organizations and human rights activists to promote peace and tolerance in the society has strongly condemned the barbaric attack on National Peace Award Holder Malala Yousufzai and has demanded that state institutions, political parties and other stake-holders should revisit their policies and stance against religious extremism and militancy. Members of Peace and Tolerance Alliance held a special meeting to pay tribute to Malala Yousufzai. During the meeting members said that “we salute the courage and commendable efforts of Malala against the violent activities of the militant groups to stop women and girls to exercise their rights, especially their right to education and they bombed their schools and colleges”. PTA members further said that “this is a highly critical situation and a great deal of seriousness is required on part of all the stake-holders including the state institutions, political parties to deal with the violent elements who use religion for their vested interest and persecute marginalized segments of the society including women, girls and religious minorities”. Member organization called upon the urgent attention of the government on the following demands: • Best medical facilities and resources should be made available to save the life of National Peace Award Holder Malala Yousufzai. • The perpetrators who attacked Malala should be apprehended immediately and brought to justice. • The state must clearly announce and implement its policy to end religious extremism and to deal with the armed militant groups. • Concrete measures should be taken to protect human rights defenders especially the women human rights defenders, educationist, and progressive writers as the threat has significantly increased against all of them in Pakistan. Peace and Tolerance Alliance members also appealed to the people of Pakistan to reject the militant groups and their supporters to save Pakistan and make it a peaceful place for all citizens.