The teenager, all of thirteen years, gave them hope.
Malala secured nomination along with four other contestants for the International Children's Peace Prize.
Though the prize went to a 17-year-old girl from South Africa, the recognition of Malala's work in raising awareness for girls' education has won her international fame.
In recognition of her work, Prime Minister Gilani has announced she will be awarded the National Peace Award, the first such award.
Through the power of her pen, this Swat-resident has shown that despite living a life of violence in an area besieged by mortars in the ongoing war on terror, one can still hope for a better future for our children.
November 20 is a UN sanctioned day to observe "A day of world-wide fraternity and understanding between children" and "a day of activity devoted to promoting the ideals and objectives of the charter and the welfare of the children of the world." Sadly, Pakistan is still a long way from achieving Millennium Development Goals.
Six out of eight of these goals are directly related to children.
Observing the conditions in the country, it is painfully evident that the basic rights which every child deserves - essentials such as food, water, sanitation and health - are not provided.
The results of such deprivation are evident by the data provided by the Unicef.
Although Pakistan has managed to reduce infant and under-five mortality rates almost by two-thirds, it is someway short of achieving the MDG 2015 targets.
Two decades ago, the infant mortality rate stood at 102 deaths, of children under the age of one per thousand live births whereas the under-five rate was 140.
In 2009, it was cut down to 65 and 77, respectively, but is still falling short of the set target of 40 and 52.
Similarly, the state of education leaves much to be desired.
There has been some noticeable improvement in this sector over the course of time as the enrolment of students in primary schools has increased.
Data from 2005 to 2009 shows male enrolment ratio at 93 and female ratio at 77.
Yet the corresponding figures for admission in secondary schools during the same period drop to a dismal ratio of 37 and 28 respectively.
This steep drop in the number of students enrolling in secondary school is explained by the reality of our labour industry.
The population of children between ages 5-14 in Pakistan is roughly 40 million.
In 2009, the Federal Bureau of Statistics released the results of its survey funded by the International Labour Organisation's IPEC (International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour).
The study's findings painted a depressing picture.
There were almost 4 million children who were involved in child labour; 73 percent of these children were boys.
The preceding data shows a chain of instances which are equally connected to each other, indicative of our sorry state of affairs, due to which improving the lives of the future of our country seems a far-fetched dream only.
Not to forget, that the devastating super floods of the year 2010 and 2011 have left the situation even more precarious.
According to a recent report by Oxfam, over 10,000 schools were destroyed due to floods and the affected families saw a decline of up to 70 percent of their household income.
In such a dire situation, it is obvious that to provide financial support, child labour would be utilised.
Poverty and rapid inflation, particularly food prices, have started crippling the poor of this country.
Their children, unfortunately, become victims of their family's condition coupled with the apathy of those in power.
With Pakistan's population surging rapidly, and with a significant percentage of it being under 18, the smartest thing for the government is to invest in the future of the young.
They deserve to be given a fair chance to improve their quality of life.
The nation can find a role model in Malala Yousufzai.
A country where the lack of resources is bemoaned as the chief hindrance behind progress, Malala's story is what it needs.
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