Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday directed immediate removal of Mukhtaran Mai's name from the exit control list (ECL). Mukhtaran Mai, a victim of gang rape and facing a legal battle against the perpetrators, on Tuesday complained of being put on the ECL. Mukhtaran Mai on Wednesday spoke to the Prime Minister on phone and thanked him for the help extended to her in removing her name from the ECL and for setting up a Women Crisis Centre at Meerwala to promote social services in the area.

Prime Minister Aziz said the government was very conscious of what she has gone through and said appropriate security has been provided to her on her request.

The Prime Minister was also appreciative of Nilofar Bakhtiar for her efforts in trying to seek a resolution of her problems.

Mukhtaran Mai who met Prime Minister Aziz at the PM house some week back was assured that the government would take all necessary measures to give her justice.

The government had also announced setting up a women crisis centre in Meerwala, Mukhtaran Mai's hometown at a cost of Rs 11.75 million. Prime Minister's Adviser on Women Development Nilofar Bakhtiar said on Tuesday that Mukhtaran Mai was facing some problems because of the additional security and there was no restriction of any kind on her movement.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005