Malala Yousufzai, is moved to a helicopter – Photo by AFP
Malala Yousufzai, is moved to a helicopter – Photo by AFP

Various Political leaders and public office bearers, including the president, the prime minister and other parliamentarians condemned the attack of Taliban on National Peace Award winner Malala Yousafzai on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Tuesday strongly condemned the attack on a school van, carrying Pakistan's youngest Peace Award winner Malala Yousafzai and directed that the injured children be evacuated to Peshawar for better treatment.

He directed immediate dispatch of a helicopter to evacuate the injured to Peshawar and to investigate the matter, besides providing best possible treatment to the other injured.

PM Ashraf called Malala’s father and expressed concern over the attack.

President Asif Ali Zardari directed the concerned authorities to provide best possible medical assistance to the injured girls.

He said that the terrorists would never be able to shake the resolve of the nation through such dastardly acts and the nation will continue to fight against militants till its logical conclusion.

The United States also denounced Taliban attack. “We strongly condemn the shooting of Malala. Directing violence at children is barbaric, it's cowardly, and our hearts go out to her and the others who were wounded, as well as their families,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.

Parliamentarians in the Lower House of Parliament strongly condemned the attack on Pakistan's Malala and said that terrorist could not succeed in their nefarious designs through such cowardly acts.

They praised Malala for her bravely who stood firmly against menace of terrorism and extremism. They termed assassination bid on her attack on all peace loving people.

ANP chief, Asfandyar Wali Khan and provincial president, Senator Afrsiab Khan Khattak have strongly condemned the attack on National Peace Award winner and have expressed grief and sorrow over the injuring of three girls including the laureate of Tamgha-e-Shujaat, Malala Yousufzai in the incident.

According to a condemnation statement issued here from the Central Media Cell at Bacha Khan Markaz here Tuesday, they said that Malala Yousufzai has rendered matchless services for restoration of peace in Swat and in the recognition of her services the government of Pakistan had conferred Tamgha-e-Shujaat on her. They said that the people could not be demoralized through nefarious activities.

They said that those spreading anarchy and chaos in the country are the enemies of Pakistan and they have no relations with any ideology or religion.

He said that like past nefarious designs for disrupting peace in the country will be foiled in future too.

They appealed the people to remain calm and never quit patience and extend support to the government in the elimination of these enemies of humanity.

Expressing deep sorrow on the incident, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain said that firing upon innocent students and injuring them was blatant terrorism, and the perpetrators behind this vile act should be swiftly brought to justice, said a statement issued by the MQM here on Tuesday.

Expressing deep sorrow on the incident, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chief  Imran Khan, in a statement, said that firing upon innocent students was blatant terrorism and the perpetrators behind this act should be brought to justice.

He said that Malala was working to promote education despite difficult circumstances.

He demanded of the government to take serious notice of the attack and take action against the elements involved in it.

Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) Chief Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and termed it as a coward action of the Taliban.He said that these attacks can not dent the cause for which Malala stood for.

Malala Yousafzai got the attention of the world for encouraging her fellow students to continue their studies despite threats by the militants and extremists before and after the military operation in Malakand Division.

She earned fame by playing a leading role in promoting peace in the restive Swat region through her writing and feature stories.

She was also one of the top-five contenders, from amongst 148 children from all over the world, for the International Peace Prize in South Africa.

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