ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik demanded a halt to US drone attacks in Pakistan, adding that, the attacks were rendering Pakistan's efforts to countering terrorism ineffective, DawnNews reported on Monday.

In an interview to a US-based television channel, Malik said that despite having all the resources, the United States was not making sufficient gains in Afghanistan.

Moreover, the minister said a military operation was not a solution to the problem of militancy in any region in the country.

On a question about Malala Yousufzai, the teenage Pakistani activist shot in the head by the Pakistani Taliban, Malik said she was the pride of Pakistan and that the people awaited her return after a full recovery.

Malik said the police had offered protection to Malala on three separate occasions, adding that, her father had refused security.

The minister said Malala was attacked by two men who were both Afghan nationals, adding that, they had come to Mingora with the help of a man named Ataullah, a resident of Swat.

He said the police was looking for both the attackers, adding that, Malala and her family would be provided with maximum security upon their return.  — DawnNews