29 January 2004 Thursday 06 Zilhaj 1424 Merger of five PML groups begins ISLAMABAD Jan 28: The re-organisation of the five factions of the Pakistan Muslim League party has finally been set in motion and the process is expected to be completed in the next couple of months, party sources told Dawn on Wednesday. ... KRL officials debriefing PPP calls for joint parliament session ISLAMABAD, Jan 28: People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) parliamentary leader in the Senate Mian Raza Rabbani has asked the government to summon a special joint session of parliament on the issue of alleged nuclear technology transfer ... Musharraf has rolled back N-programme, alleges PML-N ISLAMABAD, Jan 28: Acting parliamentary leader of Pakistan Muslim League-N Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has termed the present rulers security risks and alleged that Gen Pervez Musharraf has already rolled back the country's nuclear programme. ... KRL scientists: PCHR submits motion to NA ISLAMABAD, Jan 28: The Parliamentarians' Commission for Human Rights (PCHR) on Wednesday submitted an adjournment motion to the National Assembly secretariat ondetention of KRL scientists. ... Lack of democracy cause of HR abuses: speakers ISLAMABAD, Jan 28: Parliamentarians at a dialogue with the director Human Rights Watch, Asia Division, Brad Adams, agreed that the country lacked a true democratic culture that was the main factor behind human rights violations. ... SC accepts MPA's plea for hearing ISLAMABAD, Jan 28: The Supreme Court on Wednesday accepted a petition of Sindh MPA Ahmed Bhabra for regular hearing and suspended the Sindh High Court decision regarding his disqualification on the dispute of his B.A. degree. ... Hearing in disqualification plea adjourned PESHAWAR, Jan 28: A two-member bench of the Peshawar High Court on Wednesday adjourned sine die hearing of a writ petition filed for disqualification of PML-N MPA Malik Imran. ... Plea against Hisba Act dismissed PESHAWAR, Jan 28: The Peshawar High Court on Wednesday dismissed awrit petition challenging the proposed Hisba Act and observed that it was premature. ... Expectations and apprehensions PESHAWAR, Jan 28: Speakers at a seminar on the proposed Hisba Act have advised the NWFP government to refrain from raising a religious militia and setting up a parallel judiciary in the name of Islamisation of the criminal justice system. ... Affidavit's removal from EC rolls to be challenged ISLAMABAD, Jan 28: The Almi Majlis-i-Tehrik-i-Khatm-i-Nabuwat, Islamabad chapter, has decided to file a writ petition in the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench on Thursday against the removal of affidavit on Khatm-i-Nabuwat from the electoral rolls and forms for the contesting candidates ... RSC-AP first ladies summit from Feb 10 ISLAMABAD, Jan 28: The third summit of the first ladies of Regional Steering Committee of Asia-Pacific will be held from February 10 to 12. This was decided at the fourth preparatory meeting for the summit here on Wednesday. ... WB pledges help for housing sector: NHA given $200m for road improvement ISLAMABAD, Jan 28: The World Bank (WB) will offer financial assistance to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for the promotion of housing sector in the capital. ... World Bank to upgrade facilities in schools LAHORE, Jan 28: The World Bank will spend Rs7 billion for the provision of essential facilities in several schools of the Punjab during the next four years under its educational support reforms. ... ADB to provide $2.6bn loan for 26 farm projects ISLAMABAD, Jan 28: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide a sum of $2.67 billion under the country strategy and programme update (CSPU) during the year 2004-06 for 26 farm projects having an instalment of $890 million per annum. ... Specialized industry status granted to cellular telephony ISLAMABAD, Jan 28: Pakistan granted specialized industry status on Wednesday to cellular telephony to compete in the world market with international standards. ... Mystery of vulture decline in India, Pakistan solved PARIS, Jan 28: Scientists believe they have figured out the baffling decline of vultures in Pakistan and India, declaring that the phenomenon is due to toxic residues from a veterinary drug. ... Arrangements for visit of Indian HC sought KARACHI, Jan 28: The Indian government has asked Pakistan to make arrangements for the visit of its high commissioner to the properties in Karachi whose ownership India claims. ... Resumption of dialogues termed a good beginning KARACHI, Jan 28: Sindh governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has said that resumption of composite dialogue between Pakistan and India was "a good beginning" and expressed hope that it will be successful in solving all issues including Kashmir peacefully and ensure durable peace in South Asia. ... Pakistan, Korea to cooperate in IT ISLAMABAD, Jan 28: Pakistan and South Korea have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation for forging joint partnerships in the fields of information technology and telecommunication. ... Ex-BEL chief gets 7-year term KARACHI, Jan 28: An accountability court sentenced on Wednesday Rauf B. Qadri, former chief of the defunct Banker Equity Limited (BEL), to a seven-year term in a corruption case, involving Rs287 million. ... Malik Bashir's case sent to court LAHORE, Jan 28: The Federal Investigation Agency (Lahore) on Wednesday submitted the case of alleged human smuggler Malik Bashiruddin to the court of special judge (central). ... PIA's 46 extra flights during Eidul Azha KARACHI, Jan 28: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will operate 46 extra flights from January 24, to accommodate the growing rush of people wanting to celebrate Eidul Azha with their families, PIA announced on Wednesday. ... Bahawalpur school praised by Musharraf BAHAWALPUR, Jan 28: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has praised the role of the Sadiq Public School in educating youth and developing them into successful men in practical life. ... Well-cooked chicken meat safe: experts KARACHI, Jan 28: Influenza viruses, including the avian type, are killed at high temperatures, according to the director-general of Sindh's livestock and fisheries department and some veterinarians who talked to Dawn on Wednesday. ...

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