Pakistan prays for 'critical' Malala; 36 hours critical
13 October, 2012
ISLAMABAD: The next 36 to 48 hours will be critical for Malala Yousufzai, the army said on Friday, calling on the nation to pray for her recovery. The shooting of 14-year-old Malala Yousufzai who campaigned for the right to an education has been denounced worldwide and by the Pakistani authorities, who have offered a reward of more than $100,000 for the capture of her attackers. She is being treated at the country's top military hospital in Rawalpindi, where she is still on a ventilator. "Malala's condition is satisfactory, praise be to God, but the next 36 to 48 hours are critical," military spokesman Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa told a media briefing. Meanwhile, Pakistanis at mosques across the country prayed on Friday for the recovery of Malala Yousufzai, who was shot in the head by the Taliban as doctors said the next two days were critical. Schools opened with prayers for Malala on Friday and special prayers at mosques across the country for her speedy recovery at the country's top military hospital in Rawalpindi, where she is still on a ventilator. Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf visited Malala, paying tribute to her and two friends who were also wounded when a gunman boarded their school bus on Tuesday and opened fire. After a special mass at a Catholic Church in Islamabad, Father Rahmat Michael Hakim told AFP that he had called on politicians to promote education "because there can be no peace and development in the country without education". In Karachi, thousands of worshippers cupped their hands towards heavens in supplication for Malala's health. Balochistan observed Friday as "Pray Day" to express solidarity with Malala. Special prayers were offered for her early recovery after Friday congregations across the province. End.
|
