The family of a young girl who was paralysed after a terrorist attack on her school in Karachi this year has appealed to the Pakistani government to provide her the best medical treatment and importance as given to Malala Yousufzai.
11-year-old Atiya Arshad Khan was among several school children injured when unknown terrorists hurled hand grenades at the nation school in Baldia town area of Karachi in March. The principal of the school was killed in the attack.
"My daughter was inspired by Malala but as fate would have it, she herself fell victim to a terrorist attack on her school in March and is now in a wheelchair," Atiya's mother, Amna Bibi, told PTI.
Atiya, who has resumed going to her classes despite being in a wheelchair with her legs paralysed, said she wanted to continue her studies and follow the example of Malala.
"Malala is a brave girl and like her, I know the importance of education. That is why, despite the attack and my illness, I have returned to school," she said.
In October 2012, Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head and neck in an assassination attempt by Taliban gunmen while she was returning home on a school bus.
The defiant 16-year-old girl had raised voice for girl education in Mingora, Swat where the Taliban had, before military intervention, banned girls from attending school.
Atiya's elder brother, Aamir, escorts her to school where fellow students then help her enter the class.
"My sister is a very good student. She had gone to school as a healthy person but came back with her legs paralysed," he said.
Her mother says she can walk again but the treatment is very expensive.
"My daughter is also a victim of those who don't want education for girls and she has suffered because of this. I just want the government to give her the same importance as given to Malala and take care of her medical treatment," she said.
Atiya is undeterred by the attack on her school but admits that some students are avoiding coming to school as their parents are scared.
"But I tell my friends we have to study if we want our country to progress one day," she said.
