BIRMINGHAM: Malala Yousafzai has arrived in UK where she will be treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
Malala arrived in Birmingham via an air ambulance provided by the UAE.
The decision to send her abroad for treatment was made by the board of doctors treating her Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC)in Rawalpindi and with the consent of her family members.
Malala an outspoken advocate for girls’ education – was shot in the head last Tuesday outside her school in Mingora, Swat.
After her initial treatment in a Peshawar hospital, she had been receiving care at the AFIC in Rawalpindi for the past few days.
The decision to send Malala to the United Kingdom had been taken after consultations with her family members and all expenses for her treatment would be borne by the Government of Pakistan, a statement issued by ISPR said.
Earlier Pakistan Ambassador in United Arab Emirates (UAE) had told Geo News that an air ambulance had arrived from UAE to shift Malala abroad as part of the contingency plans.
The ISPR statement further said that Malala’s condition was out of danger and she was improving slowly and steadily. Her ventilator was removed for a while and Malala was breathing on her own.
ISPR spokesman said that 14-year-old Malala, whose shooting has drawn condemnation abroad and at home, will require prolonged care to fully recover physically and psychologically.
Malala has become a potent symbol of resistance against the Taliban's efforts to deprive girls of an education.
The nation has held prayers for Malala's health and protests and candlelight vigils to show solidarity with the 14 year old activist who advocated for the rights of women's education.