25 January 2004 Sunday 02 Zilhaj 1424 Motion on scientists' debriefing rejected: Balochistan Assembly QUETTA, Jan 24: Treasury members in the Balochistan Assembly on Saturday rejected an adjournment motion moved by the leader of the opposition that called for discussing the issue of nuclear scientists' debriefings. ... Sabir terms scientists' detention a conspiracy PESHAWAR, Jan 24: Pakistan Muslim League-N's provincial chief Pir Sabir Shah has said that the detention of nuclear scientists is a conspiracy against the integrity and solidarity of the country, a press release said. ... Muslim states target of colonial powers: TNFJ RAWALPINDI, Jan 24: Muslim states are a target of colonial powers and accusing Pakistan of transferring nuclear technology is part of a conspiracy. ... No room for smaller parties in MMA: Sami TANK, Jan 24: Maulana Samiul Haq, chief of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, has said that Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal has become an alliance of two parties and there is no room for other component parties in the coalition. ... Two PPP factions to merge soon: Sherpao PESHAWAR, Jan 24: Water And Power Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao revealed on Saturday that the merger of his faction of the Pakistan People's Party with the PPP Patriots would be announced soon. ... Benazir shows concern over 'water theft' ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto has expressed concern over an Irsa report that 65 per cent of Sindh's water share had been 'stolen'. ... Altaf for due share in NFC for Sindh HYDERABAD, Jan 24: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has demanded that Sindh should be given its due share in the National Finance Commission award. ... Call to create awareness about corruption ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has asked the education ministry to create awareness among schoolchildren about the ill-effects of corruption by including certain chapters dealing with the topic in the curriculum. ... Efforts to recover Shahani stepped up LAHORE, Jan 4: Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi has said that his government was being assisted by MMA secretary-general Maulana Fazlur Rehman in the recovery of provincial minister Naeemullah Shahani who went missing in the Fata. ... Three tribesmen handed over to administration WANA (South Waziristan), Jan 24: The Ahmadzai Wazir sub-tribe on Friday handed over three more tribesmen to the political administration, and the latter issued a fresh list of 66 wanted men to be handed over for sheltering Al Qaeda and Taliban suspects in the agency. ... Jamali promises fund for college LARKANA, Jan 24: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has assured that the federal government will provide Rs12 million to the Cadet College, Larkana, to initiate the Senior Cambridge programme at the campus. ... 185.9m people jobless the world over: ILO ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: Global unemployment rose in 2003 to a record 185.9 million, but the worldwide economic recovery in the second half of the year may have helped to improve the situation, says the International Labour Organization (ILO). ... Microsoft invited to invest in Pakistan DAVOS, Jan 24: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Saturday invited Microsoft to invest in Pakistan and use it as a hub of IT activity in the region. ... Anti-terror steps to be discussed with Kuwait KUWAIT CITY, Jan 24: Pakistan and Kuwait will discuss ways to combat terrorism, National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain said upon his arrival here on Saturday on a four-day visit. ... Troupe at loggerheadsc with circus owner: Russian acrobat 'missing' MULTAN, Jan 24: A troupe of acrobats and gymnasts belonging to Russia and Central Asian States and a local circus owner are at loggerheads as both the sides are accusing each other of breaching an agreement signed between them to perform in Pakistan for a period of six months. ... Comstech awards 190 S&T scholarships ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: The Comstech awarded scholarships to 190 students under its MSc scholarship programme in science and technology for OIC least developed member states in five years. ... Technical education being introduced ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: Education Minister Zubaida Jalal has said technical education has been introduced in all schools enabling the students to get prepared themselves for better employment. ... 'Steps being taken to end gender discrimination' ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: The rights of Pakistani women and their equality have been recognized under the Constitution and Universal Declaration of Human Rights, yet a lot more needs to be done to improve their conditions. ... Common legal framework for protection of refugees sought ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: The two-day meeting of eminent individuals from South Asian countries has concluded with the adoption of the South Asian Declaration for Refugees and Migratory Movements ... Pakistan free to 'select' any item: Trade with India LAHORE, Jan 24: New Delhi is ready to offer Islamabad trade relations with leaving the choice of selecting the items up to the latter. ... Envoy terms expatriates' role vital LONDON, Jan 24: The country's high commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr Maleeha Lodhi, said on Friday that overseas Pakistanis here were playing a very important role in strengthening relations between London and Islamabad ... Oil extractors warn of plants' closure LAHORE, Jan 24: Solvent extractors have warned that they will close down their plants from Feb 10, if the government fails to stop import of duty/tax free palm oil under the Duty and Tax Remission on Export (DTRE) rules. ... Provinces urged to enact similar laws: Freedom of information ordinance PESHAWAR, Jan 24: Participants of a workshop here on Saturday urged provincial governments to enact laws on the pattern of the Freedom of Information Ordinance promulgated by the Federal Government in 2002. ... Extradition pact with Afghanistan ruled out PESHAWAR, Jan 24: Interior and Narcotics Affairs Minister MakhdoomSyed Faisal Saleh Hayat on Saturday ruled out the possibility of an extradition treaty with Afghanistan in the current circumstances. ... Peace in Afghanistan to benefit entire region, says Iftikhar PESHAWAR, Jan 24: NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah has said that with the restoration of complete peace and normalcy in Afghanistan a major breakthrough in economic development is expected to take place in the region ... 7 Afghans held for obtaining CNICs KHAAR (Bajaur Agency), Jan 24: Seven Afghans were arrested for obtaining Pakistan's computerized national identity cards in the agency, sources told Dawn here on Saturday. ... Soomro emphasizes concerted efforts: Health-care improvement KARACHI, Jan 24: Acting President Mohammadmian Soomro has emphasised the need for adopting an innovative approach to keep pace with advancements in every field. ... Doctors urge bone-marrow transplant facilities KARACHI, Jan 24: Measures including provision for bone marrow transplantation are particularly required in Pakistan as more than 6000 children with thalassaemia major are born in the country every year. ... More rains likely in parts of country LAHORE, Jan 24: Another westerly system has entered the country from Balochistan and is likely to give more rain and snowfall in the northern parts, reports Chief Meteorologist Shaukat Ali Awan here on Saturday. ... Hamid Raza dies LAHORE, Jan 24: A former federal minister and ambassador, Makhdoom Syed Hamid Raza Gillani, passed away here on Saturday at the age of 67. His body was taken to Multan for burial. ...

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