Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai broke down in tears during an emotional first return to her native Pakistan on Thursday, six years after she was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen for advocating greater education of girls.

Ms Yousafzai, travelling with her father and younger brother, met Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the capital, Islamabad, before giving a brief speech on national television.

Through the tears, the 20-year-old, who is now studying at Oxford University, said she would 'never have left Pakistan had it been up to her'.

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Patriot: Malala Yousafzai broke down in tears as she gave a speech in her native Pakistan, after returning to her home country for the first time in six years

'For last five years I have dreamed that I can set foot in my country,' she said, wiping away tears

'It's the happiest day of my life. I still can't believe it's happening,' added Yousafzai, clad in a traditional shalwar khameez outfit with her head covered with a red and blue duppata scarf.

'I don't normally cry ... I'm still 20 years old but I've seen so many things in life,' she said.

The schedule for Ms Yousafzai's four-day trip is being closely guarded for security reasons, but it has been reported that she will not be returning to the home town in the Swat valley in the northeast.

Emotional: The 20-year-old, who is now studying at Oxford University, said she would 'never have left Pakistan had it been up to her'.

Risky visit: Ms Yousafzai, seen breaking down in tears on national television, has been denied a request to visit her home town in Swat

Big day: Ms Yoysafzai meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, left, in Islamabad earlier today

Pride of the nation: Ms Yousafzai and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, third from left, pose for a photo after their meeting

Ms Yousafzai was just 14 when narrowly escaped the Taliban assassination attempt, and officials reportedly fear that a return to the area could pose a security risk and refused the family's request to visit Swat.

'It's been long-held desire of Malala Yousafzai and her parents to visit Swat and see her relatives and friends,' one relative, who declined to be identified, said.

'But she was not given permission due to security concerns.'

Today, as she was taken to meet with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, they travelled in a convoy of nearly 15 vehicles, many of them occupied by heavily armed police.

Ms Yousafzai, known around the world by her first name, met with the the Prime Minister at his office in Islamabad, as well as several female Pakistani ministers, local news report.

The car carrying Malala Yousafza and her father Ziauddin Yousafzai leaves for Prime Minister House ahead of a meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in Islamabad

Malala's father Ziauddin Yousafzai is pictured in their car as they drive through the city

During the 2012 attack, the Taliban gunman boarded the school van and demanded to know 'who is Malala?' before shooting her in the head.

Two of her classmates were also injured. In critical condition, Ms Yousafzai was flown to the garrison city of Rawalpindi before being airlifted to Birmingham in Britain for emergency treatment.

She spent weeks at Queen Elizabeth Hospital but made a full recovery, with her family relocating to the area.

Since then she has spoken at the United Nations and continued her advocacy for universal female education by setting up the Malala Fund charity and releasing a book.

She was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2014, along with Indian child-rights activist Kailash Satyarthi, and said on the day she collected it said that 'education is one of the blessings of life, and one of its necessities.'

Nobel Peace Prize-winner Malala pictured giving a talk at a conference in London in 2012

But at home in Pakistan, she has been condemned by some as a 'Western mouthpiece' with some even suggesting on social media that the shooting was staged.

Previously when speaking in public she has championed her home country and spoken in her native Pashto language, always promising to return to her home.

On March 23 when Pakistan celebrated Pakistan Day, Ms Yousafzai tweeted, 'I cherish fond memories of home, of playing cricket on rooftops and singing the national anthem in school. Happy Pakistan Day!'

Local television channels have been showing her return to Pakistan with some replaying the horror of her shooting and the rush to get her treatment.