Pakistan has the ability to protect Malala when she returns: Malik
In an interview with CNN in London, Malik said that the teenage activist had been offered security thrice before her shooting, but her father had refused.
He said that she would be given security when she returns to Pakistan. Malik said that this will require a cordon of female officers to surround Malala and one of male officers to surround the female contingent.
"I assure to the world community that when she goes back, we do have the ability to protect her."
The interior minister also said that Malala and her parents can stay in the UK for as long as needed, “until she is fully rehabilitated”.
Police looking for 3 suspects
Malik said that police in Pakistan was searching for three suspects believed to be involved in Malala’s shooting.
He said that the suspects were two youths who were involved in the shooting and a man who is believed to have driven them to the scene. He said the two were brought to Swat by a man identified as 23-year-old Ataullah Khan, who is the primary suspect.
The interior minister said one of the youths had distracted the driver of the vehicle Malala was travelling in, while the other had asked a bystander to identify her.
"Obviously they had done their homework. They had seen the vehicle of Malala going up and down, and accordingly they acted on that."
Police have said that they are tracking down Khan, who was a student of a master’s degree in chemistry. He had studied for his Bachelor of Science degree in physics at Jahanzeb College in Swat.
Malik also rejected calls from some to bring in the army to bear on the militants, stating that a military solution was not the solution.
He said that Malala was the pride of Pakistan and that “we would love her to come back”.
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Rehman Malik why only Malala and why not the others Pakistani innocent and sinless people most especially importantly those who are being killed by the drones' strikes in tribal areas almost daily,bombs' blasts and by the firings in Karachi daily?????
@Dr. Denis MacEoin: Well said Dr. Denis. I completely agree with you
@Menon: WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT AND WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM? SHE HAS THE RIGHT TO MAKE DECISION OF HER OWN LIFE. WHO ARE YOU TO TELL HER WHAT SHE NEEDS TO DO? Masood -USA
@M.Aswad Mehtab: so it means they should not protect her just because others are being killed for different reasons? Why do you have a pain for drones when drones are being used for terrorists. are you a terrorist or are you a supporter of terrorists? if you are one of them then definitely you feel pain when drones kill people because they are the terrorists and we need to eliminate them before its too late. comprende omigo? Masood- USA
Rehman Malik's plan.
"Block Malala's phone services." Mission accomplished. Crisis Averted. Time for a press conference.
If he says so then we definitely don't
Is this the same guy who was responsible for his leader Benazir Bhutto's security?
We don't have the ability to save anyone even though if we shamefully ask for votes from the masses in return for protection of life,liberty and property. Stop this farce Mr. Malik.
P.S Mr Malik breaks the record for speaking the most lies in a single term along with other contestants who broke different records in the recently held punjab youth festival. Guinness has thus acknowledged his this achievement and decorated him as the biggest liar in the world.
What about other citizens ?
@beylal:
Veen Malik have to be foolhardy to return to Pakistan. Not happening any time soon. She seem to be doing OK where she is. Chances are, Veena is going to marry an Indian and get Indian Citizenship!
The great lies is destroying the world, blaming the truth, media propaganda, cheap publicity, money, power politics , control of minds, violating and destroying the human civilization by the hands of imperialists since long is the part of The Great Game in a new turn…propagation and using kids, women, the stamp of terrorism and technology.
The government should pay for a private security firm to take over her security. This should be a Western (British?) firm staffed by Western officers with experience in something like the SAS or another special forces unit. Why no Pakistanis? Because it's hard to know which of them may have ties to religious fundamentalism or to the Taliban or another terrorist group. This would be a positive form of discrimination, but crucial to her survival. When she returns every TV station, radio station and newspaper will want to interview her. Her profile will grow by leaps and bounds, and that will make her vulnerable than ever. I'm not sure that returning to Pakistan at this juncture is a good idea anyway. Whether she decides to study medicine or politics, she could stay in the UK, study for a few years at a regular girls' school, take some A-levels, and hope to be admitted to a first-rate university such as my old university, Cambridge, which is currently ranked as the top university in the world. I'm convinced she would benefit a lot from that, then return to Pakistan as a mature young woman and, if she wanted to, embark on a political career.
Rehman Malik, the only ability you have is to take notice of issues and promise that things will be okay very soon. That is about the extent of your abilities.
What a joke. Wonder why she got shot in the first place if we have such great security measures available? This is a lie, and the dumbest course of action.
the BEST course of action would be an affirmative, rigourous and aggressive campaign to rid ourselves of the taliban who have destroyed the once beautiful and peaceful NWFP/KP and have wreaked havoc all over our nation.
Prevention is NOT cure, and we need a CURE to this disease known as the taliban
Couldn't protect Salala but can protect Malala? I have my doubts!
If he orders the Army to take on the militants, he knows Taliban will come after him and he does not have the heart to take them on but Malala does. He needs to enjoy his ill gotten loot, give him a slack.
Sorry Malik, as a holder of minister`s office your comment is unobjective and deceptive. The fact is that you people in power are directly responsible for this state of anarchy and have failed to protect millions of Malalas and other citizens of Pakistan. History shall remember you people with abusive words!
“I assure to the world community that when she goes back, we do have the ability to protect her.”
...and I could not stop laughing for the next 10 minutes
Salman Taseer was also protected by the Govt.The unfortunate man was the governor of the 62%province and is still under the able hand of "KHADIM AALA.His unfortunate son is still in the hands of terrorists.LONG LIVE THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN.
I hope you do have the ability to defend her.
We can only pray for this brave girl. Govt should have protected her before she was targeted. Wish you Good Health Malala...!!!!
Ha Ha Ha... He made my day..
This makes sense!
Oh Malik sahib there is not one Malala but many milions. If there is noble prize for best laughter I would recomend your name.
Lol but pakistan does not have the ability to protect veena when she returns home - Bilal :D
it is a shame really that country trying to convince world community that they can protect a girl.. when dozens of people been killed daily in drone strikes, target killing and stuff...
A military solution is not the solution. Apparently the solution is to do nothing. Because that has worked so well so far.
Excellent work, Mr.Malik.
Highly Overrated!!!
Why should the army not bear down on the millitants? So does this mean the Taliban have the freedom to continue their campaign of terror for as long as they want? Why?
Pakistan may but Mr Malik, you dont!!
Good joke !