WASHINGTON, Oct 12: Malala Yousufzai has urged US President Barack Obama to reconsider his drone policy, telling him that drones are killing innocent people and fuelling terrorism.

The schoolgirl from Swat, who is now recognised as the world’s most celebrated teenager, met President Obama at the White House on Friday evening. First Lady Michelle Obama and one of their daughters also attended the meeting at the Oval Office.

“I thanked President Obama for the United States’ work in supporting education in Pakistan and Afghanistan and for Syrian refugees,” Malala said in a statement issued after the meeting.

“I also expressed my concerns that drone attacks are fuelling terrorism. Innocent victims are killed in these acts, and they lead to resentment among the Pakistani people,” she said.

“If we refocus efforts on education it will make a big impact.”

After the meeting, the White House issued a statement, saying the US “joins with the Pakistani people and so many around the world to celebrate Malala’s courage and her determination to promote the right of all girls to attend school and realise their dreams”.

The statement noted that “across the globe there are girls who will one day lead nations, if only we afford them the chance to choose their own destinies”.

These girls will “go on to change the world in ways we can only imagine, if only we allow them the freedom to dream”, it added.

“We salute Malala’s efforts to help make these dreams come true.”