Pakistani Teen Activist Flown To Britain For Specialist Medical Care

[News_Editor]

Pakistani teen activist flown to Britain for specialist medical care < br />

2012-10-15 21:55:01 GMT+7 (ICT)

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- A 14-year-old Pakistani girl, who was critically injured last week when she was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen for advocating for girls' education and criticizing the militant group, was flown to Britain on Monday for specialist medical care.

Malala Yousafzai was shot by Taliban gunmen last week while traveling to school in her hometown in Pakistan's Swat Valley. She received emergency treatment in Peshawar before being transferred to a military hospital in Rawalpindi, which allowed the girl's condition to stabilize.

A spokesman for the Pakistani military said Monday that an international team of experts recommended to transfer Malala overseas now her condition is stable, rather than later when unforeseen complications could prevent such a transfer. Doctors expect the schoolgirl will need long-term treatment and rehabilitation, including damaged bones which need repair or replacement and intensive neurorehabilitation.

An air ambulance, provided by the United Arab Emirates, took off from Rawalpindi on early Monday and flew her to Britain where she will be taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, which has the capability to provide integrated care to children who have sustained severe injuries.

"The evacuation was arranged by the Pakistani authorities after an assessment by the medical team treating Malala. It follows an offer by the UK Government to assist Malala in any way that we could," UK's Foreign Office said in a brief statement. A Pakistani Army intensive Care Specialist accompanied Malala during the flight.

The Pakistani Army spokesman said the team treating the schoolgirl is "pleased" with her present condition, and praised the initial actions to save her life. "The view of the international experts was that the neurosurgery performed in Peshawar was exactly right and indeed saved her life," he said, adding that treatment she received at the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) in Rawalpindi had stabilized her condition.

Britain's Foreign Secretary, William Hague, said Malala's bravery in standing up for the right of all young girls in Pakistan to an education is an example to everyone. "Last week's barbaric attack on Malala Yousafzai and her school friends shocked Pakistan and the world," he said on Monday. "Our thoughts remain with Malala and her family at this difficult time."

The Pakistani government said it would pay the full cost of the medical evacuation, the treatment under the UK's National Health Service (NHS) system, and any ongoing rehabilitation. Two other schoolgirls were also shot in last week's attack by the Taliban, but neither were seriously injured.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-10-15

[maidu]

Hearing of the teenager being shot, was one of the saddest bits of news in a long stream of sad news from that part of the world. I dearly hope she recovers. I've got an organic farm in northern Thailand. This is an open invitation to her and her family and friends: they're welcome to come stay here for free, well, just a little gardening as exchange. It's 180 degrees different than Pakistan, so it may take some adjusting. Examples of how it's different here: tolerant kind people, green hills with many fruit trees, safe, secluded and uplifting environment. After she gets nursed back to health, she can return to her miserable country to continue her activism, if she wants.

[JUDAS]

Many ask where are the voices speaking out against these extremist groups. What happened to this young girl should help those asking to understand the relative silence.

[ThailandBert]

Many ask where are the voices speaking out against these extremist groups. What happened to this young girl should help those asking to understand the relative silence.

That is the trouble they don't !

A cartoon is printed in a paper they have never read and there are riots, destruction and deaths around the world. The same goes for a badly made film that the majority of the people rioting around the world will never have seen yet a young child is shot in the head in the name of their so called God and apart from a few token protests in Pakistan nothing !

Millions of Muslims don't find this offensive enough to warrant a protest like the ones over a cartoon.

We are told that it is a small minority of extremists that do this and that the moderate Muslims do not agree with them. The trouble is we only ever hear and see the actions of the extremists. The moderate Muslims remain silent !

WHY ?

[bigbamboo]

Many ask where are the voices speaking out against these extremist groups. What happened to this young girl should help those asking to understand the relative silence.

That is the trouble they don't !

A cartoon is printed in a paper they have never read and there are riots, destruction and deaths around the world. The same goes for a badly made film that the majority of the people rioting around the world will never have seen yet a young child is shot in the head in the name of their so called God and apart from a few token protests in Pakistan nothing !

Millions of Muslims don't find this offensive enough to warrant a protest like the ones over a cartoon.

We are told that it is a small minority of extremists that do this and that the moderate Muslims do not agree with them. The trouble is we only ever hear and see the actions of the extremists. The moderate Muslims remain silent !

WHY ?

Exactly.

You would think a billion muslims could make a lot of noise..... if they really wanted to.

They can't all be as cowardly as the taliban.

Edited October 16, 2012 by bigbamboo

[simple1]

There have been some large protest rallies in Pakistan and smaller protests such as in the USA, refer URL below. However, you have to say that Muslim protests in Western and other Islamic countries have been minimal to say the least. If the Muslims moderates keep up this practice of not speaking out more loudly they are certainly going to lose the PR battle for support of moderate Muslim organisations.

http://www.google.com/search?q=Malala+Yousafzai+protests&hl=en&prmd=imvnsuo&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=ye18UOvlLseqrAfh84GIDw&ved=0CCcQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=590

[koheesti]

The girl's personal story is amazing. Such an intelligent, brave teenager.

Edited October 16, 2012 by koheesti

[Jingthing]

Terrorism works sometimes.

If you were the parent of a girl in that environment, and she wanted to be an activist for girl's education, you might support her, but chances are you would want to protect her from being attacked even more.

[DP25]

Hopefully they'll let her stay in Britain

[Somtamnication]

I hope so. It is for people like her that the refugee and asylum policies were created for.

Not for 10000s of Somalis, Afghans, one armed hooked others who have flooded the country and created havoc with the welfare system.

Edited October 17, 2012 by Rimmer
Not proven removed

[geriatrickid]

Hopefully they'll let her stay in Britain

Why?

This is Pakistan's moral issue and it is the responsibility of the Pakistani government and people to address the situation.

Christians are presecuted on a daily basis in Pakistan, with it being a normal state of affairs to accuse Christians of blasphemy and all manner of assorted crimes. Yet, none of the Imams say anything and no muslims take to the streets of London, accomopanied by their infidel enablers to voice their concerns. No one is giving refuge to Christians.

[JUDAS]

Hopefully they'll let her stay in Britain

Why?

This is Pakistan's moral issue and it is the responsibility of the Pakistani government and people to address the situation.

Christians are presecuted on a daily basis in Pakistan, with it being a normal state of affairs to accuse Christians of blasphemy and all manner of assorted crimes. Yet, none of the Imams say anything and no muslims take to the streets of London, accomopanied by their infidel enablers to voice their concerns. No one is giving refuge to Christians.

Pakistan govt and people have moral issue to address the victimization of Christians in their country and , at the minute seem to be failing. No Imams are speaking out, no Muslims are demonstrating against the persecution of the Christians. No one is giving refuge to the Christians. I would have to say this is a terribly situation and shows a total lack of humanity. For that very reason I would not allow the actions of those I condemn to affect my decision on a humanitarian issue: that of the girl in the OP. Off course if I was to argue that she should not be allowed safe haven then obviously I wouldn't be much different than those I condemn. My perspective.

[simple1]

Hopefully they'll let her stay in Britain

Why?

This is Pakistan's moral issue and it is the responsibility of the Pakistani government and people to address the situation.

Christians are presecuted on a daily basis in Pakistan, with it being a normal state of affairs to accuse Christians of blasphemy and all manner of assorted crimes. Yet, none of the Imams say anything and no muslims take to the streets of London, accomopanied by their infidel enablers to voice their concerns. No one is giving refuge to Christians.

To offer asylum to the victim and her family would be an act of compassion. As you well know security is a major issue in Pakistan for those who do not support the extremist agenda. There have been some very brave personal acts by individual Pakistanis; including the girl who is now in hospital in the U.K.

[Scott]

Asylum can be offered, but usually isn't. Usually, someone applies for asylum.

The UK could offer her asylum on humanitarian, compassionate or medical grounds. It remains to be seen if she will recover and how much is involved in the recovery processes.

Technically, she, and her family, probably do not meet the standard for being refugees. There is no reason to believe that she or her family is being persecuted by the government or that the government is unwilling to afford her and her family protection.

This young lady has a lot of support in Pakistan and the demonstrations on her behalf will no doubt make the government sit up and take notice.

All that said, Pakistan is a dangerous country with or without the protection of the government.

I hope she makes a full recovery and has the option to decide to return or remain in the UK.

Edited October 16, 2012 by Scott

[coma]

An air ambulance, provided by the United Arab Emirates ?

How many people that meet the ' refugee standards ' get this sort of red carpet treatment ? Not many.

And as for the lads getting WIA / KIA doing the business in that shitty part of the world sure as hell don't.

[Steely Dan]

Hopefully they'll let her stay in Britain

Why?

This is Pakistan's moral issue and it is the responsibility of the Pakistani government and people to address the situation.

Christians are presecuted on a daily basis in Pakistan, with it being a normal state of affairs to accuse Christians of blasphemy and all manner of assorted crimes. Yet, none of the Imams say anything and no muslims take to the streets of London, accomopanied by their infidel enablers to voice their concerns. No one is giving refuge to Christians.

To offer asylum to the victim and her family would be an act of compassion. As you well know security is a major issue in Pakistan for those who do not support the extremist agenda. There have been some very brave personal acts by individual Pakistanis; including the girl who is now in hospital in the U.K.

Even if she were granted asylum she would likely be in danger from many of her former compatriots who in our great wisdom we have allowed in, even though time and again they show their contempt and hatred for their hosts.

[GiHadOrange]

Hopefully they'll let her stay in Britain

Why?

This is Pakistan's moral issue and it is the responsibility of the Pakistani government and people to address the situation.

Christians are presecuted on a daily basis in Pakistan, with it being a normal state of affairs to accuse Christians of blasphemy and all manner of assorted crimes. Yet, none of the Imams say anything and no muslims take to the streets of London, accomopanied by their infidel enablers to voice their concerns. No one is giving refuge to Christians.

I don't know what it has to do with Christians and muslim protests in the streets of London.

The girl in question got last year a so called National Youth Peace Prize, given to her by the Government of Pakistan. here with the then Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani.

The prize is now even named after her.

[GiHadOrange]

this was news 5 days ago. but of course according to some ignorant haters such thing never happen.

Fatwa For Taliban’s Attack On Child Education Campaigner Malala Yousufzai

Lahore: More than 50 Ulema and religious scholars belonging to Sunni Ittehad Council (SIT), a conglomerate of religious parties of Barelvi school of thought , issued a fatwa (religious decree), dubbing Taliban’s attack on child education campaigner Malala Yousufzai un-Islamic. ...

http://awamtv.com/news/fatwa-for-talibans-attack-on-child-education-campaigner-malala-yousufzai

[GiHadOrange]

Many ask where are the voices speaking out against these extremist groups. What happened to this young girl should help those asking to understand the relative silence.

the silence might be a result of getting silenced.

Some people don't want let you to know or to hear what would disprove your assumptions.

[simple1]

@geriatrickid -just as a follow up comment moderate Pakistanis in senior positions who have spoken our against the use of blasphemy laws in Pakistan have been murdered by extremists; refer

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12621225

[nurofiend]

Hopefully they'll let her stay in Britain

Why?

This is Pakistan's moral issue and it is the responsibility of the Pakistani government and people to address the situation.

Christians are presecuted on a daily basis in Pakistan, with it being a normal state of affairs to accuse Christians of blasphemy and all manner of assorted crimes. Yet, none of the Imams say anything and no muslims take to the streets of London, accomopanied by their infidel enablers to voice their concerns. No one is giving refuge to Christians.

why?

so she won't be murdered when she returns to pakistan is why.

if ever there is an example of someone who should be given refugee status once she's in the country it's her..

Edited October 17, 2012 by Scott
profane reference

[OzMick]

If you think christians get it rough in Pakistan, imagine how hard it is for an atheist to stand up and say to both that your god is a myth.

[GiHadOrange]

Hallo haters, FYI: that girl likes Pakistan. It is her homeland. I guess she doesn't even think about to request asylum in the UK.

She is just there because she can get a better medical treatment and all that is paid for her by the Pakistani government.

[nurofiend]

Hallo haters, FYI: that girl likes Pakistan. It is her homeland. I guess she doesn't even think about to request asylum in the UK.

She is just there because she can get a better medical treatment and all that is paid for her by the Pakistani government.

who said she doesn't like pakistan? no one that's who.

she can do whatever she likes (if she hopefuly pulls through), personally the only point i was making is that if she did want to stay in the uk then there should be no issue with that.

[Rimmer]

Inflammatory baiting post removed

[Steely Dan]

this was news 5 days ago. but of course according to some ignorant haters such thing never happen.

Fatwa For Taliban’s Attack On Child Education Campaigner Malala Yousufzai

Lahore: More than 50 Ulema and religious scholars belonging to Sunni Ittehad Council (SIT), a conglomerate of religious parties of Barelvi school of thought , issued a fatwa (religious decree), dubbing Taliban’s attack on child education campaigner Malala Yousufzai un-Islamic. ...

http://awamtv.com/ne...alala-yousufzai

So what repercussions are attached to this fatwa? When a fatwa was issued against Salman Rushdie for writing something some Islamic scholars didn't like he had to go into hiding for over a decade on pain of death. I don't see any bounty put on the heads of the Taliban for this attempted murder. Therein lies the difference.

[simple1]

this was news 5 days ago. but of course according to some ignorant haters such thing never happen.

Fatwa For Taliban’s Attack On Child Education Campaigner Malala Yousufzai

Lahore: More than 50 Ulema and religious scholars belonging to Sunni Ittehad Council (SIT), a conglomerate of religious parties of Barelvi school of thought , issued a fatwa (religious decree), dubbing Taliban’s attack on child education campaigner Malala Yousufzai un-Islamic. ...

http://awamtv.com/ne...alala-yousufzai

So what repercussions are attached to this fatwa? When a fatwa was issued against Salman Rushdie for writing something some Islamic scholars didn't like he had to go into hiding for over a decade on pain of death. I don't see any bounty put on the heads of the Taliban for this attempted murder. Therein lies the difference.

There has been a bounty for information on the people who attempted to kill the victim of US$1m by the Pakistani government; refer:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Malala-attack-case-Minister-offers-1m-bounty-on-Taliban/articleshow/16844430.cms

In reality the Fatwa has little pragmatic difference as the Barelvi school of thought is a moderate Islamic organisation and does not support violent action. However, it is a step forward wherein a moderate Islamic element in Pakistan has condemned the attempted murder by the Pakistani Taliban as against the teachings of the Koran

[Steely Dan]

I just spotted this, adding credence to my comment that the girl would be in as much danger in the UK as Pakistan due to the large number of undesirables the UK has let in.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/9611740/Well-wishers-posing-as-family-stopped-from-seeing-shot-schoolgirl-Malala-Yousafzai-as-she-is-treated-at-UK-hospital.html

Two well-wishers posing as relatives have been stopped by police from visiting Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl shot in the head by the Taliban who has been flown to the UK for specialist medical care.

Must be the EDL trying to bump her off I guess.

[Somtamnication]

Or Salmond wanting to urge her to become Scottish for the 2014 vote.

[cheeryble]

Christians are presecuted on a daily basis in Pakistan, with it being a normal state of affairs to accuse Christians of blasphemy and all manner of assorted crimes. Yet, none of the Imams say anything and no muslims take to the streets of London, accomopanied by their infidel enablers to voice their concerns. No one is giving refuge to Christians.

Is it possible that Christians push themselves on Pakistan the way they push themselves on Northern Thailand and

Burma? The sometimes genuinely good work they do here is negated by the clearly hidden agenda they have of conversion at all cost, and a lot of them back home (most often America) are Dominionists meaning they want religious rule the same way the Taliban do. The fact they are now not violent like the Taliban.....which the Christian Church was for centuries......may be more to do with the fact that their grip on the population (only a priest can read and interpret a bible etc etc) has been torn from them by generally secular governments despite them not because of them. The same of course goes for child abuse in the Catholic Church they have been forced to reform from outside not inside.