Pakistan prays for brave Malala Yousufzai

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has turned one of its planes into an air-ambulance to fly Malala Yousufzai, who was shot in the head by cowardly militants in Swat, to Dubai for treatment, Geo News reported. Managing Director PIA, Junaid Yunus, told Geo News that a makeshift air-ambulance was ready to airlift critically injured Malala to Dubai at the Peshawar Airport, however a medical board was yet make a decision on when she should be flown abroad for further medical treatment. Earlier, official orders were issued for arrangements to take critically injured Malala abroad for neurosurgery. Interior Minister Rehman Malik issued the order after the medical board of the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Peshawar, where Malala Yousafzai's detailed check-up was conducted, recommended that the 14-year old girl be taken abroad for treatment. According to reports, Malala has suffered a serious cerebrovascular injury after a bullet fired by the Taliban gunman penetrated her skull and stopped dangerously short of her spinal cord. The slug remains lodged in her brain. Excessive swelling of the brain tissue, which followed the injury tied neurosurgeons hands and no surgical procedure could be performed immediately. Doctors are trying to subside the inflammation so that the bullet could be dislodged. Malala was shot from almost a point-blank range. Therefore, the medical board that conducted the detailed check-up of Malala had advised that she be taken abroad for treatment. Taking her abroad, the board members said, can save her life. The next four days will be extremely critical for Malala's survival. Interior Minister Rehman Malik has directed Secretary Interior to make necessary arrangements for shifting Malala Yousafzai abroad. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Amir Haider Hoti has also ordered that Malala be taken abroad for treatment. In a clear message following the terrorist act, the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility of the heinous attack on a 14-year old Malala as she travelled home from school along with other female classmates in a school van. Two other girls in the car also sustained injuries in the attack but their condition is said to be out of danger.