LONDON, Oct 13: Malala Yousufzai hit back at allegations that she has become a figure of the West, insisting she is proud to be a Pakistani.

The 16-year<>1d education campaigner said she retained the support of people, and reiterated her desire to enter Pakistani politics.

Asked in a BBC television interview broadcast on Sunday about some people in Pakistan thinking she was a `figure of the West` and `a Westerner now`, she said: `My father says that education is neither Eastern or Western. Education is education: it`s the right of everyone.

`The thing is that the people of Pakistan have supported me. They don`t think of me as Western. I am a daughter of Pakistan and I am proud that I am a Pakistani.`On the day when I was shot, and on the next day, people raised the banners of `I am Malala`. They did not say `I am Taliban`. They support me and they are encouraging me to move forward and to continue my campaign for girls` education.

Malala highlighted the problem of education in the midst of the Syrian conflict.

`We want to help every child in everycountry that we can,` she said.

`We will start from Pakistan and Afghanistan and Syria now, especially because they are suffering the most and they are on the top that need our help.

`Later on in my life I want to do politicsand I want to become a leader and to bring the change in Pakistan.

`I want to be a politician in Pakistan because I don`t want to be a politician in a country which is already developed.

KENNEDY`S BUST: On Saturday, a non-profit organisation that promotes the legacy of US President John F. Kennedy honoured Malala.

Malala Yousufzai was in Boston on Saturday and spoke at a forum sponsored by the JFK Library Foundation. She received a bronze bust of Kennedy in recognition for her work for the universal right to freedom of education.

Foundation board member and Wheelock College president Jackie JenkinsScott presented the honour.

Malala`s memoir `I am Malala` was published last week.-Agencies