Kainat Riaz says she is more serious about pursuing higher education after the incident
Kainat Riaz, the fellow girl student injured along with teen peace activist Malala Yousafzai in a militant attack in Swat, on Saturday returned to her school after three weeks of treatment and bed rest.
However, after coming into the limelight, the 16-year-old failed was unable to get transportation for school and she had to hire a taxi for this purpose. Upon arrival to Khushal public school, Kainat got a hearty, hospitable reception from fellow students and teachers.
“My father asked five different school vehicle owners but all of them are not ready to let me be a passenger because of the risk factor. Now, I come to school in a taxi,” Kainat was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune.
“I was feeling really bored out of school. At first, I did not feel it and my attention was on my wound – but as time wore on, I got bored and wanted to come to school. I was really missing my school.”
Malala Yousafzai, Kainat and their friend Shazia Ramzan were on their way from school on October 9 when two breaded gunmen of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) stopped their school van and opened fire.
Malala, the actual target of the attackers, was shot in neck and head. Kainat received bullet in upper right arm while Shazia was shot in the leg.
Kainat, a student of tenth class, said the incident has made her more serious about getting the higher education.
“I am more serious about pursuing higher education after the incident … Women make up half of our society and we have to get modern education within our social and Islamic values,” said Kainat, whose wants to become a doctor serve the country and nation.
Kainat also prayed for speedy recovery of her best friend Malala Yousafzai, who is currently being treated in at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
Kaniat grumbled that earlier media had ignored them but later atoned for it.
“At first, we were ignored… but we received attention after the timely intervention of the media,” she said.
Speaking about Shazia, Kainat said she is recovering speedily and will return to school very soon. She also called for more education for girls in Pakistan.
On Saturday, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik had announced that Kainat and Shazia will be honored with Sitara-e- jurrat (a medal of courage).
Malala Yousafzai on the other hand is stable and making good progress in the British hospital. But according to the medical staff the 15-year-old has a long road ahead to a full recovery. She is likely to undergo reconstructive surgery to her skull once she gains the strength.
Malala Yousafzai rose to fame after writing a dairy for BBC about the life in Swat Valley under Taliban. She was honored with International Children’s Peace Prize by Advocacy Group Kids Rights Foundation in 2011.
