04 January 2004	Sunday	11 Ziqa'ad 1424

PESHAWAR, Jan 3: The Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan (Noorani) has decided to take disciplinary action against its lone MPA in the NWFP Assembly, who used his vote in favour of President Gen Pervez Musharraf, party sources said.

Provincial JUP president Owais Ahmad Qadri told this correspondent on Saturday that action would be taken against Akhtar Nawaz Khan, the MPA, for violating the party as well as the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal's decision.

He said the central Shoora of the JUP was expected to meet in Karachi on Jan 17 to discuss the matter. The Shoora would elect its new chief after the death of Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani last month.

Mr Khan was district president of the Awami National Party till elections were held in 2002.

He contested the elections as an independent candidate and won the seat. As the JUP had failed to win a seat in the NWFP assembly, Mr Khan joined it in the hope of getting a minister's slot in the MMA-led government. He, however, failed to clinch the ministry.

HAZARA: Meanwhile, Mr Khan defended his decision, saying he had voted for Gen Musharraf in protest against the "wrong" policies of certain members of the two main component parties of the MMA.

MORE FLIGHTS: Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali, an MNA, has demanded that the government should direct the Pakistan International Airlines to increase flights for Chitral valley after the closure of Lowari Pass snowfall.

Speaking at a press conference here on Saturday, he said the provincial finance department had recently sent a summary to Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani to operate a helicopter service between Dir and Chitral from January to March to facilitate travelling to locals.