19 February 2004 Thursday 27 Zilhaj 1424 Musharraf rejects N-site inspection ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has said that Pakistan would under no circumstances permit foreign inspectors to enter the country and monitor its nuclear weapons or civil nuclear facilities. ... MMA seeks ARD help against govt measures LAHORE, Feb 18: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on Wednesday extended a hand of friendship to the ARD hoping that the latter would reciprocate the gesture and join forces with the religious alliance to prevent the government from taking steps which were not in the national interest. ... Steps taken for good governance: MMA - Basic reforms introduced in various sectors PESHAWAR, Feb 18: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal government has taken a number of steps to establish a just society by introducing basic reforms in different sectors. ... Call to withdraw cases against Benazir, Nawaz HYDERABAD, Feb 18: Protest demonstrations by activists of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy, attended by a large number of People's Party Parliamentarians workers, continued for the sixth consecutive day on Wednesday throughout interior Sindh. ... ARD holds protest meetings in Punjab towns GUJRANWALA, Feb 18: The PPP activists continued their anti-government protest for the sixth consecutive day here on Wednesday. They set up a protest camp outside the district court where anti-government banners and placards were displayed. ... Petition against PM, CM's advisers LAHORE, Feb 18: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday put off the hearing of a constitutional writ petition which disputed the appointment of advisers to the prime minister and the Punjab chief minister. ... LJ activists remanded in police custody KARACHI, Feb 18: The two activists of the banned organization Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, arrested on Tuesday, are suspected to be involved in sectarian killings including that of Dr Ibne Hasan, the police said on Wednesday. ... Baton-charge on traders: PPP submits motion ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: The People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) has submitted an adjournment motion to the National Assembly secretariat to discuss the incident of traders-police clash at Aabpara Market ... Rumpus in Senate over minister's remarks ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: Senators belonging to Balochistan on Wednesday gave a tough time to Treasury Benches when Federal Minister for Communications Ahmed Ali failed to satisfy them while replying to various questions related to development activities in the province. ... Protests held against disputed projects MIRPURKHAS, Feb 18: Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz activists took out a procession and staged a sit-in here on Wednesday to protest against Kalabagh dam and Thal canal projects. ... Microsoft plans huge investment ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: The vice-president and regional director of Microsoft's Europe, Middle East and Africa operations, Emre Berkin on Wednesday said that the company planned to spend millions of dollars in Pakistan. ... Mengal meets Bugti QUETTA, Feb 18: President of the Balochistan National Party Sardar Akhtar Mengal held a meeting with chief of the Jamhoori Watan Party Nawab Mohammad Akbar Khan Bugti in Dera Bugti on Tuesday. ... Hindu pilgrims arrive LAHORE, Feb 18: A group of 130 Hindu pilgrims arrived here on Wednesday on a four-day visit to their holy places. Evacuee Trust Properties Board (ETPB) officials received them at the Wagah border. ... Ban on import of substances depleting ozone sought ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: A worldwide ban on the import of ozone depleting substances and phasing out of the chemicals that damage the protective layer is need of the hour. ... Ecnec okays Rs427.69m national monument plan ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Wednesday approved the construction of a national monument costing Rs427.698 million at Shakarparian. ... Rs17m fixed for HR, education: Senate told ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: The government has earmarked Rs17.1 million in the 2003-04 budget for Human Rights Mass Awareness and Education Project, the Senate was told here on Wednesday. ... 'Journalism on the Internet' workshop PESHAWAR, Feb 18: Young journalists can use the Internet for locating facts, background information and expert opinion for reporting, said Aslam Mujahid, director information resource centre (IRC) of the US embassy. ... India pledges to sustain peace efforts NEW DELHI, Feb 18: India on Wednesday said it was determined to sustain peace efforts with Pakistan, resolve all outstanding issues and normalize bilateral relations. ... Indian team visit a step towards peace: Bedi LAHORE, Feb 18: Former Indian cricket team captain Bishan Singh Bedi has stressed the need to promote person-to-person dialogue instead of depending on politicians and superpowers to develop peace in India and Pakistan. ... Verdict reserved on plea against SBP circular LAHORE, Feb 18: The Lahore High Court reserved on Wednesday judgment on a writ petition, challenging the authority of the State Bank to secure personal details of all commercial banks' depositors who earn Rs10,000 or more profit on their accounts annually. ... 270,000 housing units required to meet needs, says minister ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: About 270,000 housing units are required every year to fulfil the needs of the country's growing population, Minister for Housing and Works Syed Safwanullah said. ... Toll tax exemption to armymen may be withdrawn: minister ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: The government is seriously considering withdrawing the exemption given to serving defence personnel from payment of toll tax on national highways/motorways, Minister of Communications Ahmed Ali told the Senate on Wednesday. ... NFC meeting on Saturday PESHAWAR, Feb 18: The next meeting of the National Finance Commission (NFC) has been delayed by one day, official sources said. Instead of Friday, the meeting would take place on Saturday. ... Fresh drive against govt soon: Liaquat GUJRANWALA, Feb 18: Punjab Jamaat-i-Islami Amir and Mutahida Majlis Amal (MMA) parliamentary leader Liaquat Baloch has said his party would soon launch an anti-government campaign in all district headquarters throughout the Punjab. ... KARACHI: SHC vacates order on cancellation of NICs KARACHI, Feb 18: The Sindh High Court vacated on Wednesday its order staying the 'invalidation' or 'cancellation' of the old, manual national identity cards. ... Population growth rate at 1.96pc ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: The population growth rate of the country has declined to an encouraging 1.96 per cent, Population Welfare Secretary Shakil Durrani said while quoting the latest findings of the Federal Bureau of Statistics here on Wednesday. ...

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