15 January 2004	Thursday	22 Ziqa'ad 1424

LAHORE, Jan 14: The Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive programme of reforms in health, education and other sectors to increase the literacy rate and improve the living standards of people.

This was stated by Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi while talking to a British delegation which called on him here on Wednesday. The delegation was led by UK's international development secretary Hilary Benn and comprised UK ambassador to Pakistan Mark Lyall Grant, Dr Mark Poston, Tim Handley, Gareth Aicken, Martin Dinham, Moazzam Malik, Ms Lauren Flanagan and Dr Inayat H. Thaver.

The chief minister was assisted by his adviser Jehangir Tarin, Education Minister Imran Masood, Health Minister Dr Tahir Javed, Finance Minister Hasnain Bahadur Dareshak, Environment Minister Makhdoom Ashfaq Ahmad, Chief Secretary Kamran Rasool and senior officials of the provincial government.