20 March 2004 Saturday 28 Muharram 1425 Cabinet reviews NFC Award proposals KARACHI, March 19: The Sindh Cabinet in its meeting here on Friday reviewed the basis for the province's share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) award. ... MMA to discuss Wana operation ISLAMABAD, March 19: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) Supreme Council will hold a meeting here on Saturday morning to discuss the ongoing military operation in Wana ... Qazi voices concern over army action SWABI, March 19: The Amir of the Jamaat-i-Islami, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, has said that the Islamic movement is the only solution to the present uncertainty and terrorism by anti-Muslim forces throughout the world. ... Govt accused of victimizing Hashmi's family ISLAMABAD, March 19: Pakistan Muslim League-N MNA Maimoona Hashmi has accused the government of victimizing her family through use of state machinery and registering false cases against her relatives. ... NWFP minister blasts Wana operation PESHAWAR, March 19: Senior provincial minister Sirajul Haq has criticized the ongoing military operation against foreign militants and their tribal supporters in the troubled South Waziristan Agency. ... Musharraf urged to continue in uniform ISLAMABAD, March 19: A treasury MNA on Thursday advised Gen Pervez Musharraf to ignore the Dec 31 deadline and continue as president in uniform as the country 'is passing through difficult times'. ... Lobbying for ruling party ticket: Papers for NA-190 accepted BAHAWALPUR, March 19: The returning officer on Friday declared valid the nomination papers of all the 10 candidates for the NA-190 (Bahawalnagar-111) bypolls. ... Former MNA arrested in Azam Tariq murder case RAWALPINDI, March 19: Former MNA and one of the three accused in Maulana Azam Tariq murder case, Nawab Amanullah Khan Sial, has been arrested by the police investigation wing and shifted to Islamabad in the early hours of Friday ... Minister for stronger ties with Turkey in IT sector ISLAMABAD, March 19: Minister for Information Technology Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari on Friday called for greater cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey in the fields of information technology and telecom. ... Bar may continue hardline policy LAHORE, March 19: The all-Pakistan representative convention of lawyers, scheduled to be held here on Saturday, is likely to continue a hardline policy and resume the legal community's campaign with the same spirit ... PA session adjourned in respect for Murad KARACHI, March 19: The session of Sindh Assembly was adjourned on Friday as a mark of respect for the slain PPP MPA Abdullah Murad. ... MPAs protest against Murad's murder KARACHI, March 19: The opposition members of provincial assembly on sizzling Friday marched towards Governor's House to condemn government's failure in arresting the killers of sitting MPA Abdullah Murad. ... Call for new approach to human rights issue GENEVA, March 19: Pakistan on Friday called for a new approach to human rights which could take into account the negative impact of poverty, conflict, terrorism, violence, prejudice and bad governance on human rights. ... Swiss writer criticizes US attack on Iraq RAWALPINDI, March 19: The US president, George W. Bush, was wrong in attacking Iraq without the approval of the United Nations. This was stated by Bertil Galland, a Swiss author and journalist ... Three blasts rock Quetta, Zhob QUETTA, March 19: Three explosions rocked Quetta cantonment and Zhob on Friday, police said. According to police a locally made bomb exploded in a nullah along the Airport Road in the cantonment area. No casualty or damage was reported. ... Political stability key to attracting investment: WB ISLAMABAD, March 19: The World Bank has urged Pakistan to ensure political stability in order to attract private investment in the country. ... World TB Day to be observed on Wednesday KARACHI, March 19: Like all countries across the globe, Pakistan will be observing the World Tuberculosis Day here on March 24 with the theme "Every Breath Counts: Stop TB Now". ... Legislators resent delay in release of funds ISLAMABAD, March 19: Parliamentarians on Friday expressed their reservations over the delay in the release of development funds under Tameer-i-Pakistan programme for their approved schemes ... Sindh's power project hits snag KARACHI, March 19: The coal-fired Thar Power Plant may not take off on time if the federal government fails to release funds committed for development work in the area, according to reliable sources. ... Human rights state dismal in Pakistan: report ISLAMABAD, March 19: The human rights situation in Pakistan remains dismal, with the legal, economic, and social rights and freedoms of people not being protected adequately, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan's annual report indicates. ... Pakistan, Qatar sign MoU on air traffic ISLAMABAD, March 19: The government of Pakistan and State of Qatar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here on Friday. ... Wapda suggests 13pc tariff cut ISLAMABAD, March 19: Wapda has recommended around 50-60 paisa per unit reduction in the tariff for industrial, commercial and big domestic consumers with immediate effect. ... EPA undergoing major change PESHAWAR, March 19: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NWFP, is undergoing a major change in its organizational status after being directed by the provincial government to assume the role of an implementation agency and ensure results. ... Low water flow at Sukkur Barrage SUKKUR, March 19: At least 53 per cent less water flow was recorded in the River Indus at the Sukkur Barrage on Friday, forcing irrigation authorities to start rotation system in the canals. ... Muttahida MPAs hit back at JI KARACHI, March 19: MPAs of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, criticizing the statement of Jamaat-i-Islami, have questioned that while the Nazims belonging to the JI were not carrying out any sort of development work in the city, how could the MQM create hurdles in their way. ... Thousands attend Muttahida's Mushaira KARACHI, March 19: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement organized a Mushaira on Thursday in connection with its 20th founding anniversary celebrations. The theme of the Mushaira was unity among the people of Sindh. ...

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