10 July 2004	Saturday	21 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

ISLAMABAD, July 9: Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has asked the women activists of PML to work for improving their lot in the country and to supplement the government's efforts in this regard.

The prime minister was talking to a PML women wing delegation from Punjab headed by its president, Shahana Farooqi, who called on him here at the PM House on Friday. The delegation included MPA Khadija Umar Farooqi from Punjab.

A number of steps and measures for the welfare of women also came under discussion. Meanwhile, MNA Kashmala Tariq also called on the prime minister and discussed matters pertaining to the welfare of women.

She apprised the prime minister of efforts made by the women parliamentarians which they were jointly undertaking for the better health and educational facilities for womenfolk of the country. The prime minister reiterated the government commitment for protecting women rights and bringing them in the mainstream.

APP ADDS: Ambassador of France to Pakistan, Pierre Charasse, called on Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain here at the Prime Minister's House on Friday. The French envoy extended felicitations on behalf of the people and government of France on his assumption of the office of the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Talking to the ambassador, the prime minister expressed the confidence that the close friendly relations between Pakistan and France would be strengthened further in days to come. Various matters relating to Pakistan-France relations came under discussion during the meeting.