12 February 2004 Thursday 20 Zilhaj 1424 Jamali pledges to uphold democracy ISLAMABAD, Feb 11: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Wednesday said the government has introduced the culture of tolerance and accommodation in politics and would always uphold democratic norms and principles. ... Qazi for APC to form national strategy LAHORE, Feb 11: MMA acting president Qazi Husain Ahmad has stressed the need for an all-party conference to form a national strategy to counter threats facing the country. ... Benazir asked to defend N-programme RAWALPINDI, Feb 11: Central vice-president of PML-Q Syed Kabir Ali Wasti has appealed to PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto to play her role in safeguarding the country's nuclear programme. ... Probe sought into N-transfer charge PESHAWAR, Feb 11: The Pakistan People's Party demanded on Wednesday that the government should set up a judicial commission to hold an inquiry into the charges of nuclear proliferation and suggest a punishment for those involved in it. ... Motion against NA speaker submitted: Formation of body on water issues ISLAMABAD, Feb 11: The opposition Democratic Alliance has submitted a privilege motion against National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain to the Senate Secretariat for 'illegally' constituting a parliamentary body on water issues. ... MMA meeting in Islamabad next week LAHORE, Feb 11: A summit meeting of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) will be held in Islamabad next week, alliance's acting president Qazi Husain Ahmad told reporters here on Wednesday. ... PML, allied parties meet tomorrow ISLAMABAD, Feb 11: A parliamentary party meeting of the Pakistan Muslim League and its allied parties in the Senate is scheduled to be held at 4.45pm in the Committee Room No.2, Parliament House, here on Feb 13. ... PPP to set up protest camp in Sialkot SIALKOT, Feb 11: The PPP has announced setting up of protest camps from Feb 13 to 20 at Allama Iqbal Chowk against the humiliation of nuclear scientists. ... Hashmi files new plea ISLAMABAD, Feb 11: The detained president of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD), Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, on Wednesday filed yet another application with the court of district ... 'PPP enjoys people's support' SHIKARPUR, Feb 11: People's Party Parliamentarians Sindh council member Mohammad Bux Lashari has said that the PPP is the party which enjoyed a majority support of the masses because people believed in the leadership of Benazir Bhutto. ... Two MMA leaders released FAISALABAD, Feb 11: Two of the arrested Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal leaders were released from the district jail after their bail pleas were accepted here on Wednesday. ... MMA to implement its agenda: CM PESHAWAR, Feb 11: Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has called upon the elected representatives and political figures to make efforts for solving problems being faced by the masses. ... FO clarification ISLAMABAD, Feb 11: The Foreign Office while clarifying a report (Dr Khan not given blanket pardon) in Dawn (Feb 10, 2004) on the question of the reported bugging of the Pakistan High Commission by British intelligence agencies said ... Train march for release of Asif arrives RAWALPINDI, Feb 11: A train march organized by Zardari Rehai Committee reached here from Multan on Wednesday evening. Over hundred workers took part in the march, which was led by PPP leader Malik Mushtaq Awan, a spokesman for the party said. ... BNP asks govt not to ignore youth QUETTA, Feb 11: The Balochistan National Party (Awami) patron-in-chief, Senator Mir Moheem Khan Baloch, has warned that ignoring the youth in recruitment to the Gwadar-related projects might hit federation-province relations. ... Jamali orders distribution of Nawab's assets by 26th BAHAWALPUR, Feb 11: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has directed distribution of all the movable and immovable properties in urban and rural areas of late Bahawalpur Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi among his legal heirs by Feb 26. ... $100m WB loan for Punjab education reforms LAHORE, Feb 11: The World Bank has approved a $100 million credit for Punjab to help it enrol more children, especially poor, in schools, and to provide them with quality education. ... USAID rural uplift plan opens for Balochistan QUETTA, Feb 11: The United States Agency for International Development in collaboration with the National Rural Support Programme has launched a two-year innovation programme in Balochistan ... Pakistani scientist rejects money, UK nationality: Man of Year award verdict today LAHORE, Feb 11: Prof Dr Aurangzeb Hafi, a Pakistani scientist contesting for the prestigious international title "Man of the Year 2003 in Interdisciplinary Sciences" has rejected the "unofficial" offer that he accept British citizenship to be a winner. ... Pakistan vulnerable to avian influenza: WHO KARACHI, Feb 11: Avian Virus or H5N1 has not been isolated in Pakistan yet, but it is vulnerable at any point of time like all other parts of the world. ... JSQM begins hunger strike against water projects KARACHI, Feb 11: The Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) has begun its fast unto death to pressure the government for stopping construction of the controversial Greater Thal Canal, which the people of Sindh generally believe is detrimental to their interests. ... Complaints of traffic jam irk Mumtaz KARACHI, Feb 11: Sardar Mumtaz Ali Bhutto, chairman of the Sindh National Front, has deplored that the people of Karachi held aloof and a section of the press even complained about traffic problems while a rally against Greater Thal Canal and Kalabagh dam was staged on Tuesday. ... Banks told to expand farm loan facility ISLAMABAD, Feb 11: The State Bank of Pakistan has directed 21 banks to increase the credit facility for agricultural loans by adding another 150 items to the already existing list of agriculture credit schemes. ... Ministry for renewable energy sources ISLAMABAD, Feb 11: A separate ministry for renewable energy sources may be established in the country with a sound incentive driven renewable energy policy in place. ... Train speed to be enhanced, says minister SUKKUR, Feb 11: Railways Minister Ghous Bux Mahar has said that speed of trains will be enhanced from the present 105 to 125 kms per hour. Speaking at a press conference at the circuit house here on Tuesday ... Family which embraced Christianity leaves for US ISLAMABAD, Feb 11: An Afghan family that converted to Christianity left for the United States on Wednesday after waiting more than two years in Pakistan. ... 2004 declared year of child welfare ISLAMABAD, Feb 11: The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal submitted by the women development division to declare 2004 as the "year of child welfare and rights". ... Killing spree by troops in Valley condemned LAHORE, Feb 11: The Kashmir Action Committee Pakistan has condemned the intensified killing spree by Indian forces in Kashmir despite the on-going peace process between India and Pakistan. ... Jirga vows to hunt Al Qaeda suspects MIRAMSHAH, Feb 11: A tribal jirga (council meeting) has decided to raise a Lashkar (militia) to hunt down Taliban and Al Qaeda fugitives in the rugged region, local officials said. ... Performances by Indian film stars cancelled LAHORE, Feb 11: Stage performances of some of the leading Indian film stars scheduled for Thursday were cancelled here on Wednesday. ...

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