Pak activist Malala thanks millions around the world for their support

London: Malala Yousafzai, teenage Pakistani rights activist recovering in a UK hospital after being shot by Taliban in her country, today thanked millions of her well-wishers for their inspiring and humbling support. The Hospital in Birmingham, where 15-year-old Malala is undergoing treatment after being shot in the head by Taliban on October 9 for advocating girls' education in northwest Pakistan's Swat valley, today released her picture sitting and reading a book.

Malala has received thousands of gifts, cards and messages of support since arriving in Birmingham on October 15. More than 7,000 people have written messages to her on the Hospital's message board, expressing their love and support.

Malala's father Ziauddin Yousafzai issued a message of gratitude on her behalf saying she wanted to thank well-wishers for helping her to survive and "stay strong". Malala is undergoing specialised treatment at the Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Her father, mother and two brothers meet Malala twice a day and have been housed locally.

Fifteen-year-old Malala is undergoing treatment after being shot in the head by Taliban on October 9.

"She wants me to tell everyone how grateful she is and is amazed that men, women and children from across the world are interested in her well-being," her father said in a statement issued by the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. "We deeply feel the heart-touching good wishes of the people across the world of all castes, colours and creeds."

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