MINGORA: Malala Day would be observed today (Saturday) across the world, but the parent of the student activist would observe the day on Monday.

There is no function scheduled for the occasion in her hometown here. Ahmad Shah, a close friend of Malala’s father Ziauddin, told Dawn that this year Malala’s parents had decided to celebrate Malala’ Day on July 14 (Monday) due to certain engagements.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters here, Kainat Riaz, who was injured in the attack on Malala Yousafzai on October 9, 2012, said that she had come back to Mingora after participating in her first semester examinations in a UK college, adding that she was proud to be a friend of Malala Yousafzai.

“I want to continue my struggle for girls’ education as a youth ambassador of Pakistan,” Kainat said and added that mission of Malala must continue to promote girls’ education in the country.

Shazia Ramazan, another girl injured in the Taliban attack, said that though Malala was residing in the UK her sympathies were with the people of her hometown.

“She (Malala) wants to continue her mission for betterment of the people, particularly for the promotion of girls’ education,” she added.

DENGUE CASES: Four more people on Friday tested positive for dengue virus, bringing the number of dengue patients to 15 in Swat district so far. According to an official of the Saidu Sharif Teaching Hospital, four residents of different parts of Mingora city have been found to be suffering from dengue, adding the number of affected had reached 15.

The official added that nine patients, including five male and four female, were under treatment at medical-B ward of the hospital, while six were discharged after treatment.

CURFEW CONTINUES: Curfew continued for the second consecutive day on Friday in some areas of Matta and Kabal tehsils, where security forces have been on the lookout of miscreants involved in targeted killing of a local peace committee member, Khan Sahib, on Wednesday evening.

All the bazaars from Kanjo chowk to Matta remained closed on Friday.

The peace volunteer was targeted in Shakardara area of Matta, where other peace volunteers have also been killed in the past.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2014