Malala plans to sit for her final exams in Swat: Father

Father of the child rights activist says attack on his daughter is a turning point for Pakistan.

BIRMINGHAM: Malala wants to sit for her final exams in Swat and has asked me to bring her books here, said father of the child rights activist in Birmingham on Friday.

Speaking to media during a press conference with Dr Dave Rosser, Ziauddin Yousufzai said Malala’s survival is a miracle for them.

“There was a time when I told my brother-in-law to prepare for her funeral,” he said.

Malala was attacked by Taliban gunmen in Swat when she was on her way home from school. She was shifted to the UK for her treatment.

Narrating the entire episode to the media personnel, Malala’s father said that his daughter was attacked by “agents of Satan”. He added that soon after the incident, he realised he was surrounded by angels as help poured in from numerous quarters.

Calling the attack a turning point for Pakistan, Ziauddin said that the attack did make “Malala fall, but when she fell, the entire Pakistan rose.”

“Malala is down temporarily, she will rise again,” he added.

Medical treatment

Appreciating the high quality treatment provided to his daughter at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Ziauddin said “Malala got the right treatment, in right place, at the right time.”

Responding to a query why he did not accompany his daughter to the UK, Zaiuddin said he knew Malala was in safe hands. “I was satisfied with the arrangements; we were constantly updated on her progress,” he said.

Thanking Rosser for his contribution in treating Malala, Ziauddin said back in Pakistan, he and his family would wait for his press conference. “We would wait for him to appear on TV and speak about Malala’s condition, he was a source of satisfaction for us and others in Pakistan,” he said.

Father, daughter relationship

Talking about his influence on Malala, Ziauddin said his daughter became an activist at an early age because she has seen him being one.

“My daughter is my companion, we are good friends. She corrects me at times and tells me how to do certain things,” he said.

Sharing the speculated stories he had heard in Pakistan about his daughter’s health, Ziauddin said he is glad he is with her now.

Thanking authorities

Ziauddin appreciated the support extended towards Malala by political leaders, civil society and the international community.

He thanked President Asif Ali Zardari for taking keen interest in his daughter and making all the government resources available to her.

“President Zardari had gone through great tragedies in life himself, his wife was assassinated in Pakistan,” he said.

Speaking about the medical care Malala received in Pakistan, Ziauddin thanked Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani as he had instructed authorities to provide his daughter with good care.

The activist’s father also thanked the UAE government, Pakistani media and the UK government for their role in providing relief to Malala and supporting her cause.