Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousafzai returned to Pakistan on Wednesday night for the first time since she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman for advocating education for girls in 2012.

During her stay in Pakistan, the 20-year-old, is likely to hold meetings with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and others.

She will also participate in the 'Meet the Malala' programme, local media reports said.

Malala has become a global symbol for human rights and a vocal campaigner for girls' education since a gunman boarded her school bus in the Swat valley on October 9, 2012, and shot her.

She was treated for her injuries in the British city of Birmingham, where she completed her schooling.

At the age of 17, Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She shared the prize with India's children rights activist Kailash Satyarthi.