21 January 2004 Wednesday 28 Ziqa'ad 1424 MMA to protest against 'weak' policies LAHORE, Jan 20: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) will observe Friday (Jan 23) as a protest day against 'weak' policies of Gen Pervez Musharraf on Kashmir issue and nuclear programme. ... 'Fahim be appointed opposition leader' QUETTA, Jan 20: Parliamentary opposition in Balochistan has demanded appointment of ARD Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim as leader of the opposition in the National Assembly. ... Benazir wants to return on March 23 LAHORE, Jan 20: Ms Benazir Bhutto is reported to have told certain party leaders that she wants to return to Pakistan on March 23. ... SC moved against 17th Amendment LAHORE, Jan 20: The Pakistan Lawyers Forum has challenged in the Supreme Court the 17th Amendment to the constitution on the ground that it has altered the federal parliamentary system and eroded the ideological basis of the country ... Held Al Qaeda activists shifted to Islamabad KARACHI, Jan 20: Seven suspected members of Al Qaeda, picked up on Sunday, were shifted to Islamabad early on Tuesday morning, intelligence sources said. ... Omer Sheikh shifted to Islamabad HYDERABAD, Jan 20: Ahmed Omer Saeed Sheikh, who is facing death sentence in the Daniel Pearl murder case, was shifted to Islamabad under the directives of the Interior Ministry, a Sindh home department source confirmed to this correspondent here on Monday. ... Tribals have no links with Al Qaeda, says ANP PESHAWAR, Jan 20: The Awami National Party (ANP) has accused the federal government of harbouring Al Qaeda activists, and said the people of tribal areas are being victimized under a so-called operation against militants. ... Efforts made for consensus NFC award, says Jamali QUETTA, Jan 20: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has said the federal finance minister has been asked to adjust and accommodate the standpoint and demands of the provinces when deciding about the new NFC award. ... Rs200bn plan recommended for poverty alleviation ISLAMABAD, Jan 20: Prime Minister's Task Force on Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation is expected to recommend a Rs200 billion Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for 2004-05 with a view to containing rising poverty levels in the country. ... Soomro advises patience on scientists' issue LAHORE, Jan 20: Senate Chairman Muhammadmian Soomro has said that Kashmir and nuclear scientists' interrogation are sensitive issues, which need a patient and cool-headed consideration. ... Authorities told to lock away PK-356 flight data RAWALPINDI, Jan 20: Directives have been issued to the airport authorities not to bring on record the data pertaining to the landing and diversion of Lahore-Islamabad national flag carrier flight to Peshawar ... Cottage industry to get tax relief: Sindh Cabinet decision KARACHI, Jan 20: The Sindh Cabinet which met here on Tuesday, with Sindh Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammad Mahar in the chair, agreed, in principle, to exempt the cottage industry in Orangi Town (Karachi) ... Ibad seeks expeditious alien registration KARACHI, Jan 20: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan on Tuesday stressed the need for expediting the registration process of illegal immigrants under the National Aliens Registration Authority. ... Annual revision of electoral rolls KARACHI, Jan 20: The Election Commission (EC) Sindh has said that it will accept forms from public for the annual revision of electoral rolls till January 22. ... Kashmir will take time says Indian ex-admiral ISLAMABAD, Jan 20: Relations between India and Pakistan are at their best these days following the confidence-building measures and peace initiatives taken by the two governments, says a former Indian naval officer. ... Concern over continuing Indian repression LAHORE, Jan 20: The Kashmir Action Committee, Pakistan, has expressed its concern over continuous Indian repression in held Kashmir despite the start of a peace process, and urged it to stop its military operation in the valley. ... Rao Farman Ali passes away RAWALPINDI, Jan 20: Maj-Gen (retd) Rao Farman Ali, former federal minister and a key player in the East Pakistan crisis, died here on Tuesday morning after a brief illness. He was 82. ... MoU inked with US IT firm for skills training ISLAMABAD, Jan 20: The education ministry on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft's Partners in Learning Programme for development of skills training in information and communication technology (ICT) for teachers and students in Pakistan. ... WB concerned over revenue shortfall PESHAWAR, Jan 20: The cumulative shortfall under the tax and non-tax heads of the provincial own receipts (PORs) has gone beyond Rs300 million mark by the end of the first five months of the current fiscal year ... Pakistani drug pusher hanged in Kuwait KUWAIT CITY, Jan 20: A Pakistani drug dealer was hanged publicly on Tuesday after being convicted of possessing and selling heroin in Kuwait. ... Counsel told to explain govt position : Missing journalist KARACHI, Jan 20: A Sindh High Court division bench asked the counsel for a "missing" Pakistani journalist on Tuesday to identify in the courtroom or chamber on Thursday ... APNS golden jubilee KARACHI, Jan 20: The executive committee of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society on Monday finalized a detailed programme to celebrate the society's golden jubilee which will be held in different provinces till March. ...

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