The family of the 15-year-old Pakistani girl shot by the Taliban has visited her in the British hospital where she is being treated for her injuries.

Family members of Malala Yousufzai flew from Pakistan to Britain Thursday and went to see her at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

Her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, told reporters Friday that Malala is recovering at “encouraging speed and we are very happy.”

The day before, Yousafzai said his daughter will return home to Pakistan after her medical treatment. They were his first public comments since the October 9 shooting of Malala in Pakistan's northwestern Swat Valley.

Taliban gunmen shot the teenage girl in the head and neck as she left school. She was internationally recognized for documenting Taliban atrocities in the area near her home and for promoting women's education.

She has been in critical condition since the shooting.

Pakistan's government is paying for all expenses related to her recovery and has pledged to protect her once she returns. Queen Elizabeth is renowned for its expertise in dealing with her types of injuries. She has been treated there for nearly two weeks.

Yousafzai's doctors say they expect her to make a good recovery.