08 March 2004 Monday 16 Muharram 1425 Legal lacunae delay PML unification ISLAMABAD, March 7: A meeting held on Sunday for unifying five Pakistan Muslim League factions and Imtiaz Sheikh's group of the Sindh Democratic Alliance remained inconclusive due to what the sources said were legal hurdles. ... PPP welcomes Ramay in party fold: PML-N leadership annoyed SAHIWAL, March 7: Mian Anwarul Haq Ramay, former PML-N MNA and parliamentary secretary on information who had joined the PML-Q sometime back, has now joined the PPP. ... Govt can't divide MMA: Liaquat SIALKOT, March 7: Punjab Jamaat-i-Islami Amir Liaquat Baloch has said that government's efforts to divide the MMA will be fruitless, as all leaders of the alliance were playing a pivotal role in promotion of democratic values. ... Quaid's concept of state discussed KARACHI, March 7: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah wanted to create a 'Muslim state' and not an 'Islamic state' that had to be a democratic, progressive and liberal country. ... Violence, bias against women continues, says Benazir ISLAMABAD, March 7: Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto on Sunday said that women were being subjected to varying degrees of discrimination and violence all over the world. ... Women's lack of interest worries parties FAISALABAD, March 7: Lack of interest of women in the forthcoming by-election to the vacant seats of councillors is a cause for worry for political parties. ... Hasba Bill will be tabled in assembly: Qazi PESHAWAR, March 7: Jamaat-i-Islami Amir Qazi Hussain Ahmad said here on Sunday that the Hasba Bill would be presented in the NWFP Assembly for approval in forthcoming session. ... Badr says Sindh CM responsible for Murad's murder LAHORE, March 7: PPP secretary-general Jehangir Badr on Sunday held the Sindh government responsible for the murder of PPP MPA Abdullah Murad, calling upon the chief minister to quit or the powers that be should dismiss him without delay. ... PPP slams govt KARACHI, March 7: President, Pakistan People's Party, Sindh chapter, Nisar Khuhro, on Sunday slammed the provincial government for failing to apprehend the killers of Abdullah Murad, who was gunned down in Malir area on Saturday. ... PPP observes protest in Sindh cities: MPA's murder HYDERABAD, March 7: Demonstrations were held in most towns of interior Sindh by activists of the People's Party Parliamentarians on Sunday to protest against the murder of MPA Abdullah Murad in Karachi. ... Altaf sees conspiracy behind killings KARACHI, March 7: In a hard-hitting speech directed at the Pakistan Peoples Party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain on Sunday alleged that the killings of the two girls of Memon Goth and MPA Abdullah Murad ... PPP condemns MPA's murder PESHAWAR, March 7: The Pakistan People's Party has condemned the murder of Sindh Assembly MPA Abdullah Murad Baloch in Karachi on Saturday and urged the government to arrest the killers. ... Altaf demands judicial probe HYDERABAD, March 7: Muttahida Qaumi Movement has lashed out at People's Party Parliamentarians leadership for holding the MQM responsible for the murder of PPP MPA Abdullah Murad. ... Appointments cause friction between allies PESHAWAR, March 7: Local leaders of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F) and Jamaat-i-Islami appear to have developed differences over recent recruitments in the Zakat and Ushr department and the appointment of additional and deputy advocates general. ... No governor rule in the offing, says Jam QUETTA, March 7: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousuf on Sunday ruled out the imposition of governor's rule in the province and said the elected government would fulfil its constitutional responsibilities. ... Role of women in development strengthened: Musharraf ISLAMABAD, March 7: President General Pervez Musharraf on Sunday said Islam held women in high esteem and their rights had been enshrined in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah. ... Musharraf moving to presidency this month ISLAMABAD, March 7: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has decided to shift to the presidency in Islamabad by the end of this month. The president has finally decided to leave Rawalpindi ... Health cover to the poor promised SUKKUR, March 7: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali said here on Sunday that the government had embarked on a comprehensive plan to provide effective health cover to all the people in the country, especially the weaker section of the society. ... Over 450 give test for telecom jobs ISLAMABAD, March 7: Over 450 candidates appeared in the online test conducted by the National Database and Registration Authority on behalf of the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC). ... Kabul to register refugee voters PESHAWAR, March 7: The Afghan government has sought permission from Pakistan for registration of Afghan refugee voters for the forthcoming presidential elections in Afghanistan, sources said. ... 'Operation in Fata against all terrorist elements' ISLAMABAD, March 7: The armed forces are doing development work in the tribal areas, besides conducting operations against all elements carrying out terrorist activities in the country or using its soil for such activities against other countries ... JI for forum to end women exploitation LAHORE, March 7: The Jamaat-i-Islami has urged the need for establishing a 'world women relief forum' under the UNO to end women exploitation. ... Commercialization in medical field criticized - Three-day congress begins KARACHI, March 7: The federal minister for health on Sunday lamented the growing commercialization in the medical field. He urged the specialists to play their due role for providing cost-effective health care to the poor. ... India proposes special trains for cricket series NEW DELHI, March 7: The Indian Railways has proposed running of special trains to facilitate those desiring to see the forthcoming cricket series in Pakistan. ... $250m investment made in CNG industry - Minister ISLAMABAD, March 7: A record investment of $250 million has been made in businesses related to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in a short span of time. ... AF number-plates cancelled PESHAWAR, March 7: The government has withdrawn the special number-plate facility for vehicles used by Afghan commanders considered close to Pakistan, official sources said. ...

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