09 January 2004 Friday 16 Ziqa'ad 1424 PPP, PML-N to hold separate meetings ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: The People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will hold separate meetings in the capital next week to review the current political situation in the country and future strategy, sources told Dawn on Thursday. ... Nawaz laid basis for talks: PML-N LAHORE, Jan 8: The PML-N says Nawaz Sharif had laid the basis for Pakistan-India peace talks in the Lahore Declaration in which Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee had for the first time accepted the two-nation theory and Kashmir as a disputed land. ... LFO deal aimed to mislead world: PPP ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: The military regime has tried to hoodwink the international community and the people of Pakistan by making Legal Framework Order (LFO) a part of the Constitution. ... PTI rejects 17th Amendment ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: The Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf (PTI) has rejected the 17th amendment in totality and termed it to have been brought about in clear violation of the basic principles of the Constitution, parliamentary form of government and the rule of law. ... Confusion in PML-Q over Senate nomination KARACHI, Jan 8: Although 48 hours are left in the byelection for a vacant Senate seat from Sindh, there is a total chaos and confusion in the ranks and file of the joint opposition as well as ruling coalition as they have failed to put up consensus candidates. ... Governor to act on CM's advice: PA adopts bills on three varsities LAHORE, Jan 8: The Punjab Assembly adopted on Thursday three amendment bills on the universities of Taxila, Sargodha and Rawalpindi with a majority vote of the treasury benches. ... Poll petitions against 8 legislators dismissed LAHORE, Jan 8: An election tribunal of the Lahore High Court dismissed on Thursday eight petitions, challenging election of three MNAs and five MPAs. ... Notice issued on Sajid's plea for release ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: The Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi bench, on Thursday issued notice to the state on a petition of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal leader Allama Sajid Naqvi, seeking release on bail. ... NAB court rejects acquittal plea PESHAWAR, Jan 8: An accountability court here on Thursday dismissed an application of the former MNA of the Awami National Party, Haji Naseemur Rehman, requesting his acquittal in a reference about his absconding from the law. ... Gujrat trader taken to Rawalpindi GUJRAT, Jan 8: A trader was picked up by a joint raiding team of police and intelligence agencies from his house in Fatupura here on Tuesday night allegedly for his involvement in the second blast attack on President Pervez Musharraf, it was learnt. ... Private van breaks VVIP security cordon RAWALPINDI, Jan 8: Police are looking for a van driver who broke the security cordon during President Gen Pervez Musharraf's movement on Islamabad Highway on Wednesday. ... Govt asked to explain scientist's detention ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: The Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi bench, on Thursday issued a notice to the government and the Inter-Services Intelligence director-general to explain within a week ... 'Pakistan committed to Kashmir cause' LONDON, Jan 8: Pakistan is committed to the cause of Kashmir and is searching for a solution acceptable to the people of Kashmir, says Pakistan's High Commissioner to the UK Dr Maleeha Lodhi. ... Japan welcomes Pakistan-India parleys ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: Japan has welcomed the signing of South Asia Free Trade Area (Safta) treaty and the additional protocol to the Saarc Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism which would help in bringing stability to the region. ... Mairaj hails Saarc declaration KARACHI, Jan 8: Senior politician Mairaj Muhammad Khan on Thursday said that SAARC's Islamabad declaration and the joint statement between India and Pakistan to initiate "composite dialogue" for settlement of all outstanding issues including Kashmir, are a very healthy and positive development for the sub-continent. ... PM calls for enhancing manpower export ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has directed the ministry of labour, manpower and overseas Pakistanis to intensify efforts for further enhancing export of skilled and unskilled manpower and ensure its capabilities according to international standards. ... Rs4.26bn for foreign scholarships okayed ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Wednesday set aside Rs4.26 billion for the overseas scholarship scheme, official sources told Dawn. ... NAB recovers Rs1.5bn ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: The National Accountability Bureau has so far recovered Rs1.5 billion in the Alliance Motors scam out of the total misappropriated amount of Rs3.571 billion, an official said on Thursday. ... Govt asked to overcome high cost of production ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: The local industry is finding it difficult to compete in the international market due to high cost of production. This concern was expressed at a day-long consultative workshop titled "Globalization ... Favouritism accused in appointments MUZAFFARABAD, Jan 8: The AJK Legislative Assembly secretariat on Thursday issued notifications of some 12 appointments in what was being alleged as favouritism on part of LA Speaker Sardar Siab Khalid. ... NFC award on income basis demanded HYDERABAD, Jan 8: The Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party has demanded that the National Finance Commission award should be announced on the basis of income generated by each province and not on the population basis. ... National policy urged on maternal health KARACHI, Jan 8: No government department and no non-governmental organization, in the absence of intervention from the top, can bring about a substantial reduction in the country's rate of maternal death. ...

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