THIS is apropos of news reports about awarding Sitara-i-Shujaat to Malala Yousufzai’s friends Kainat and Shazia, the victims of the Swat incident.

There is no doubt the Taliban’s act created a negative impression about Pakistan across the world, but I believe that Malala and her friends are not the only Pakistanis who had been targeted by the narrow-minded barbarians.

They were not alone who suffered while getting education, but there are millions of girls who have to quit their education, besides losing their family, homes, dreams and sweet memories.

Has President Asif Ali Zardari done something to share their pains? Has he awarded them any award? No. They have not been even given financial compensation that had been promised.

If the president really wants to give awards, he should then first give to those millions of girls who also want to go to school, want to chase their dreams and have strength to fight terrorists. Why should only Shazia and Kainat be awarded?

TAUQEER AHMADPeshawar