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.

Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital says Asif Ali Zardari met with doctors treating Malala Yousafzai during a visit Saturday.

It said that the leader was briefed about Malala's medical progress, before having a private meeting with the girl's father and brothers.

Malala was airlifted to the hospital after she was targeted on Oct. 9 by militants in the northwest Swat Valley.

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