Pakistan's president has visited a British hospital where a 15-year-old schoolgirl is being treated after being shot in the head by a Taliban gunman.

Asif Ali Zardari met Malala Yousafzai at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham on Saturday, after being briefed about her medical progress by the team looking after her.

The young activist was badly injured when a Taliban gunman opened fire on her and her friends as they were heading for school in Mingora in Pakistan's Swat Valley on 9 October.

The Taliban targeted Malala for criticising the militant group and promoting secular girls' education, which is opposed by the Islamist extremists.

Malala was flown to Britain for further medical treatment at the Birmingham hospital days after the attack and continues to make a steady recovery.