OTTAWA: Pakistani young activist Malala Yousafzai, who was shot within the head by the Taliban for crusade for girls’ education, are granted honorary Canadian citizenship, the Canadian government declared on Wednesday.

She will be a part of an elite group of foreign honorees who include South Africa’s Nelson Mandela and Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi.

“Canada acknowledges the courageous and inspiring example set by Malala Yousafzai in risking her life promoting education for young ladies,” the govt same during a speech setting out its priorities for following 2 years.

“She faced down evil and oppression and currently speaks boldly for those that are silenced.”

After receiving death threats from the Taliban for defying the Muslim militant group with her outspoken views on the correct to education, Yousafzai was shot a year past whereas on a school bus close to her village in Swat in northwestern Pakistan.