Teenage rights activist Malala Yousufzai, who was seriouslyinjured in an assassination attempt by the Taliban last week, was today sent toBritain as she needs prolonged medical care, including the repair of damagedbones of the skull.
The 14-year-old was flown to Britain this morning in an airambulance provided by the United Arab Emirates.
She had been in the intensive care unit of the Armed ForcesInstitute of Cardiology in Rawalpindi since Thursday.
The decision to shift her outside Pakistan was made by aboard of civil and military doctors that has been supervising Malala'streatment, a military spokesman said.
She is being sent to a British centre that can provide"integrated care to children who have sustained severe injury".
"It was agreed by the panel of Pakistani doctors andinternational experts that Malala will require prolonged care to fully recoverfrom the physical and psychological effects of trauma that she hasreceived," the spokesman said.
"It is expected that in due course of time she willneed repair (or) replacement of damaged bones of the skull and long-termrehabilitation including intensive neuro rehabilitation," he said.
The "acute phase" of Malala's recovery was managedin line with international standards and her current condition is"optimal", he added.
The decision to shift Malala was made after consulting herfamily and the government will bear all expenses for her treatment abroad.
An intensive care specialist of the Pakistan Armyaccompanied Malala on her flight. .The panel of doctors believed that if Malalawas to be transferred abroad, then it "should be during this time windowwhilst her condition was optimal and before any unforeseen complications hadset in", the spokesman said.
Earlier this morning, the air ambulance provided by theroyal family of the UAE landed in Rawalpindi and was stationed at the militaryairbase at Chaklala, located a short distance from the Armed Forces Instituteof Cardiology.
Yesterday, the doctors treating Malala had said she was in astable condition and making "steady and satisfactory progress".
She was successfully taken off the ventilator for a shortwhile before being reconnected to "avoid fatigue", officials said.
Malala has been on ventilator since she was shifted fromPeshawar to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology in Rawalpindi on Thursdayafter doctors removed a bullet lodged near her backbone.
She was shot in the head and neck.
The military spokesman said the neuro-surgery performed inPeshawar had saved Malala's life.
The specialised treatment she received at the hospital inRawalpindi stabilised her condition, he said.
The banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibilityfor the attack, saying Malala was targeted for backing Western ideals and asecular government.
The shooting of the teenager has been denounced round theworld.
Pakistani authorities have offered a reward of Rs 1 crorefor information that leads to the capture of Malala's attackers. People acrossPakistan have been offering prayers for Malala's recovery.
