NEW YORK: Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai has met Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on the sidelines of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.

The activist for female education sought PM's support to promote education in rural areas, especially in Swat.

She urged the present government should make education its manifesto.

While admiring Malala's contribution towards education and her efforts to raise the status of girls, PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi responded that education is the forefront agenda of the present government as no investment would yield dividends without investing in the education sector.

He added that the government has increased the education budget in the country and wants to raise the literacy rate by establishing more institutions for education.

PM Abbasi further said that investment in the education sector is more useful than in any other field.

However, we still have a lot of work to do to address the gender inequality and infrastructure issues, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister further said that the government is also in contact with NGOs and the provincial governments to achieve this objective.

"I believe that not only the quantity but also the quality of education that matters," the Prime Minister stated.