SWAT:
Despite suffering the trauma of being shot at, Kainat Riaz, one of the two other girls injured in the attack on child activist Malala Yousafzai, was excited about returning to school on Saturday.
However, having come into the spotlight following the harrowing incident, the 16-year-old is unable to get any van driver to take her to school now.
Nonetheless, having travelled to school in a taxi, Kainat received a warm welcome from teachers and fellow students when doctors allowed her return after 25 days of treatment and bed rest.
“I was feeling really bored out of school. At first, I did not feel it and my attention was on my wound – but as time wore on, I got bored and wanted to come to school. I was really missing my school,” the 16-year-old told The Express Tribune.
One would expect the teenager to be deeply shaken – but, on the contrary, Kainat said: “I am more serious about pursuing higher education after the incident ... Women make up half of our society and we have to get modern education within our social and Islamic values.” She added that she was hopeful of Malala’s recovery and was awaiting her return to school.
Kainat also thanked the media, saying “At first, we were ignored... but we received attention after the timely intervention of the media. Shazia is also recovering fast and will be back soon.”
Her only concern, she disclosed, was finding transportation for school. “My father asked five different school vehicle owners but all of them are not ready to let me be a passenger because of the risk factor. Now, I come to school in a taxi,” she added.
Maryam Khalique, the principal of the school in which Kainat studies, said she was glad to have Kainat back because she feared the victims wouldn’t be allowed to return to school after the Taliban attack. She added that both the injured girls would now receive free education.
Malala’s father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, told The Express Tribune via telephone that Malala’s condition had greatly improved and she could now walk and talk. “This all became possible because of the limitless prayers and wishes of the national and international community and I have no words to express my gratitude to all these people for standing by us during this hard time,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2012.
COMMENTS (15)
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Kainat said: “I am more serious about pursuing higher education after the incident … Women make up half of our society and we have to get modern education within our social and Islamic values.” i am such a goof, even at the age of 50 i am unable to utter such words...look here a 16-year-old girl is so concern about the welfare of this society... i am totally in tongue-and-cheek position...ENOUGH!!!
Brave girl has returned to school. Taliban and right wingers are all cowards.
@zabdesk Please for Gods sake STOP conspiring everything. Kainat was NOT shot in the head like Malala was!!!!!!!! Did you not see Malala's pictures. Did it seem like it was a hype OR A BRUTAL ATTACK THAT ALMOST KILLED HER.
Way to go ladies! these are brave daughters of Pakistan. With them we can change Pakistan. God bless them and keep them safe.
This 16 year old girl is brave as Hercules while those 5 (at least) grown up men chickened out.
Or yet terrorized.
@HolierThanThough
Men in Pakistan should wear masks! No need to blur girls picture as they are braver than burger typo of MEN!
Sick minds create problems for the new generation of Pakistan. Most of the people are much jealous about Malala`s condition and her exposure. may Gob Bless all of our new generation.
@zabdesk: Thanks to Allah she is back to her routine. May all these girls be blessed and succeed. Remember the Taliban dictat will lead you to disaster. Open your eyes wide and look at the world. The west is in economic crisis, the middle east is running out of petrol, India and China are progressing at the speed of light. If you follow Taliban dictat soon you will have to go to India to clean their toilets, sweep their roads and do their menial jobs. Wake up before it is too late. Modern education is your only remedy.
@zabdesk: Where you there at the scene of the attack? It's fascinating to see the lengths that you loony right-wingers go to in order to defend your pro-establishment agendas.
@Zabdesk: No, she was not "equally injured". Please take your head out of the sand.
The govt should arrange a police vehicle to transport these girls until this issue dies down. Every worthless MP is entitled to one, why not these brave heroes? May Allah keep them safe and sound.
Long live my daughter
I salute your courage. May this inspire some others who are running scared of your tormentors.
May the Lord protect you.
She was equally injured in the incident, however, the doctors for Malala are saying that it will take months to recover, then how a girl treated in Pakistan fully recovered and back to school. Now media should think of its role for creating hype in the society.