10 February 2004	Tuesday	18 Zilhaj 1424

GUJRANWALA, Feb 9: The activists of the Jamaat-i-Islami and the Shabab-i-Milli demonstrated here on Monday to protest the arrest of their colleagues and demanded their release without delay.

Reports said the protesters gathered outside the DPO office and demonstrated with banners and placards, inscribed with slogans against government and police, in hands. They also chanted slogans against the administration. JI leader Hafiz Suleman Butt, an MNA, said false cases, baton-charge and jail of the activists could not thwart struggle against imperialists.

BANK LOANS: The local chamber of commerce and industry has urged the banks to relax loan policy for housing projects.

Speaking at a meeting of the State Bank's advisory committee at the GCCI here on Monday, chamber president Sheikh Shaukat Javed said the WTO demanded of Pakistan and other countries to improve the quality of business products to compete in the international market.

He said the banks should play an important role by extending easy loans for the housing industry in the district.