23 February 2004 Monday 02 Muharram 1425 ARD, MMA pose no threat to govt: Shujaat LAHORE, Feb 22: Ruling PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Husain on Sunday ridiculed both the opposition alliances, the ARD as well as the MMA, for their respective demands about fresh elections under the supervision of a government of national consensus ... PPP seeks probe into N-scandal ISLAMABAD, Feb 22: The Pakistan People's Party has demanded a parliamentary inquiry into the nuclear proliferation scandal. According to a press release issued here by the PPP media cell, the party at its two-day meeting in London ... PML factions, SDA decide to merge LAHORE, Feb 22: Five factions of the Pakistan Muslim League and the Sindh Democratic Alliance decided on Sunday to unify in a manner suggested by Senator S.M. Zafar, former law minister. ... Sami lashes out at MMA leaders MANSEHRA, Feb 22: The central leader of the Muttahidda Majlis-i-Amal and the chief of his own faction of the JUI, Maulana Samiul Haq on Sunday said he would not accept any slot in the NWFP cabinet, and that he didn't "want to board a sinking ship". ... ARD stages protest procession QUETTA, Feb 22: The Balochistan chapter of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy took out a procession on Friday to protest against the government policies. ... PML-N seeks open trial of Hashmi ISLAMABAD, Feb 22: The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) has called President Gen Pervez Musharraf "a serious threat to the national security and solidarity" and called for an open trial of PML-N acting chief Makhdoom Javed Hashmi. ... Jamali's visit 'aggravates' rivalry OKARA, Feb 22: Differences in the local PML-Q leaders have further aggravated, as the two old guard tried to bring Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali at their native localities during his visit here on Saturday. ... New assembly need of hour - PONM ISLAMABAD, Feb 22: The military and the civil bureaucracy has created the worst crises for the country, which needs setting up of a constituent assembly to draw up a new social contract recognising the rights of the five nationalities to collectively combat the dangers threatening the integrity of the country. ... SC to take up plea against tribunal's order ISLAMABAD, Feb 22: The Supreme Court will take up a petition on Monday seeking suspension of Lahore High Court Election Tribunal's order, declaring Haroon Akthar Abdur Rehman, son of late ISI chief Akthar Abdur Rehman, winner in place of Amjad Aziz, PML-N MPA. ... Muttahida urges Ulema to preach fraternity KARACHI, Feb 22: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement's Coordination Committee has appealed to ulema from all schools of thought and their followers to play due role in maintaining sectarian harmony ... Visa, customs rules not be devised by depts: 'Saarcarians' see vested interests KARACHI, Feb 22: The South Asian jurists, judges and lawyers ended their deliberations here on Sunday with earnest calls for accelerating the pace of regional cooperation to face the challenges of globalization. ... Saarc deals to promote joint ventures KARACHI, Feb 22: The Saarc economic agreements will promote not only trade but also foreign investment and joint ventures, speakers at the Saarclaw working session on WTO and regional trade said on Sunday morning. ... EU watching democratic process in Pakistan LAHORE, Feb 22: The European Union is keenly watching the democratic process in Pakistan, says German deputy chief of mission Christoph Sander. ... Committee to finalize draft treaty on 28th: Riparian rights over Kabul, Kunnar rivers ISLAMABAD, Feb 22: The special committee constituted for talks with Afghanistan on water sharing will meet in Lahore on Feb 28 to finalise a draft treaty to be signed between the two countries ... Experts call for steps against eye injuries: Ophthalmology congress KARACHI, Feb 22: Senior ophthalmologists and medical experts underscored the need on Sunday for precautionary steps against eye-loss cases in traffic, industrial and sports accidents. ... Amendment to money laundering law likely ISLAMABAD, Feb 22: The government is considering a proposal to amend the money laundering law in its attempt to stop officials from abusing power and implicating people in false cases, sources said on Sunday. ... New press laws rejected by PFUJ, APNEC ISLAMABAD, Feb 22: The executive committee of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and All Pakistan Newspaper Employees Confederation has rejected ordinances relating to press council and press laws. ... Security tightened at Japan embassy RAWALPINDI, Feb 22: Security has been tightened at Japan embassy and its other installations in Pakistan in the wake of intelligence reports that terrorists might strike, an official source told Dawn on Sunday. ... Vulture rescue centre planned KARACHI, Feb 22: The Ornithological Society of Pakistan (OSP) has urged the Sindh Wildlife Department to allot it a couple of acres of land and also grant permission to establish a Vulture Rescue Centre (VRC) in Nagar Parkar - Thar desert - it is learnt. ... Case against 7th Wage Award to be heard today ISLAMABAD, Feb 22: A three-member bench of the Supreme Court will take up on Monday a constitutional petition of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), challenging the Seventh Wage Award. ... Business, property of tribe sealed in D.I. Khan DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Feb 22: Political authorities of the South Waziristan Agency have sealed business and property of Zalikhel, a sub-tribe of Ahmedzai Wazir, in Dera Ismail Khan district under the collective responsibility law for failing to hand over tribesmen ... PMA concerned over malaria outbreak KARACHI, Feb 22: The Pakistan Medical Association has registered its deep concern over the recent outbreak of malaria throughout the country. In a statement issued by the PMA, Dr Shershah Syed said that despite repeated warnings by the World Health Organization ... 'Poverty reduction strategy flawed' RAWALPINDI, Feb 22: The People's Rights Movement (PRM) has condemned the announcement by a visiting delegation of the World Bank (WB) headed by its vice-president for South Asia that the bank will approve a $3 billion country assistance strategy in March. ... Doctors leave for New Delhi LAHORE, Feb 22: A delegation of doctors, headed by provincial parliamentary health secretary Dr Farzana Nazeer Bajwa, left for New Delhi on Sunday to attend a conference. ...

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