18 January 2004 Sunday 25 Ziqa'ad 1424 Leaders laud Musharraf's address to parliament KARACHI, Jan 17: Leaders of various political parties on Saturday hailed President Gen Pervez Musharraf's address to the joint session of the Parliament, lauding his commitment to resolve disputes with India and continue nuclear programme. ... Musharraf accused of 'hijacking' planes ISLAMABAD, Jan 17: Pakistan Muslim League-N MNA Tehmina Daultana accused President Gen Pervez Musharraf of the responsibility for what she called the "hijacking" of two aircraft, and vowed to move court in this regard. ... Opposition protest uncalled for: Zafar LAHORE, Jan 17: Senator SM Zafar has said that the Opposition should have not protested against the President's address to the Parliament when both the houses had passed the 17th constitutional amendment with a two-third majority. ... Pervaiz all praise for Pervez LAHORE, Jan 17: Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi has said that the address of President Gen Pervez Musharraf to the joint session of parliament is 'the echo of the heart of every patriotic citizen'. ... PML-N accuses govt of toeing US agenda PESHAWAR, Jan 17: Provincial president of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Pir Sabir Shah on Saturday accused the federal government of implementing the American agenda in all its internal and external affairs. ... Government employees will get houses: PM ISLAMABAD, Jan 17: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has pledged to provide houses to all government employees across the country with complete infrastructure and utilities. ... Mega uplift projects to usher in new era: Jamali ISLAMABAD, Jan 17: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Friday expressed confidence that the mega development projects currently being executed in Balochistan would usher in a new era of progress and prosperity in the country. ... NBP launches insurance plan for expats in US NEW YORK, Jan 17: The National Bank of Pakistan on Friday launched a new scheme providing insurance coverage to its US based remittance customers in case of accidental deaths and dismemberment. ... ECO finance ministers to meet on 29th ISLAMABAD, Jan 17: The finance ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) are meeting here on Jan 29, to discuss increased cooperation in the region and also to adopt a common policy towards multilateral agencies. ... Pact signed for Sindh canals rehabilitation LAHORE, Jan 17: The Sindh irrigation and power department has signed an agreement with a consortium of three firms, led by the National Development Consultants (NDC) ... Need for quality IT education stressed SWABI, Jan 17: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari has said that Pakistan needs more educational institutions of high calibre to produce professionals capable of taking on the future challenges. ... Jirga to meet two wanted tribesmen PESHAWAR, Jan 17: A tribal Jirga in the South Waziristan tribal region will meet on Sunday the two most wanted tribesmen suspected to be having ties with Al Qaeda terrorists, in a last- ditch effort to persuade them to surrender before authorities. ... US looking into charge against Pakistan NEW YORK, Jan 17: The US law enforcement officials said on Friday that they were looking into whether the Pakistani government was involved in a plot by a South African businessman, an Israeli national ... JUP demands end to Wana operation KARACHI, Jan 17: The Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan has demanded an immediate end to the on-going army operation in Wana in South Waziristan. ... HRSP award for Nasrullah LAHORE, Jan 17: The Human Rights Society of Pakistan (HRSP) has conferred its awards upon four important persons, including the 'Father of Democracy' the late Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan for their meritorious services. ... Human smuggler arrested LAHORE, Jan 17: The Federal Investigation Agency claimed on Saturday to have arrested a human smuggler and recovered counterfeit currency of $23,000, two British passports and three visa-stickers from his possession. ... PTCL asked to give relief to telecom operators ISLAMABAD, Jan 17: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has asked PTCL to provide maximum relief to the telecom service providers, who use the company's co-location facilities for the promotion of industry and providing quality service to consumers. ... Medicines for free STDs treatment provided ISLAMABAD, Jan 17: The government has provided a set of drugs to different federal government hospitals for free treatment of sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) to combat the threat of HIV/AIDS in the country. ... Yet another anti-polio drive from 20th KARACHI, Jan 17: A new round of national anti-polio campaign will be launched from Jan 20 to 22. This will be the country's 42nd round. ... Harnessing of renewable sources of energy urged KARACHI, Jan 17: Speakers at a conference on Saturday stressed the need for harnessing alternative and renewable sources of energy. The 6th conference on commercial exploitation of wind turbine ... JSQM to observe hunger strike: Disputed water projects THORI PHATAK, Jan 17: The Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz has announced that its activists will observe a hunger strike unto death against greater Thal canal and Kalabagh dam projects from Feb 11 outside the Karachi Press Club. ... First winter rain brings back chill LAHORE, Jan 17: The westerly system on Saturday gave first widespread winter showers of this season in the Northern Areas and several cities of the NWFP, Kashmir, upper Punjab and northern parts of Balochistan ...

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