Dr Azra, during the meeting with Malala's father and family members, strongly condemned the attack on the school van, in which Malala and her other school-mates were injured. She also prayed for her early recovery.

She said that President Asif Ali Zardari had strongly condemned the terrorist incident, saying that the terrorists would not be able to shake the resolve of the people through such dastardly acts and the nation would continue its fight against militants till their elimination.

Dr Azra said that young girls like Malala Yousafzai symbolized the quest for knowledge of the girls of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and a handful terrorists could not deter them.

She assured Malala's father that the best possible medical assistance would be provided to her. She also informed him that that with doctors' permission, she would be sent abroad for treatment and all arrangements had been made in this connection.