21 March 2004 Sunday 29 Muharram 1425 Wana operation to end soon: Faisal LAHORE, March 20: Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat hoped the ongoing military operation against alleged Al-Qaeda and Taliban remnants and their local protectors in Wana (South Waziristan) would be over in the next 48 hours. ... Peace activists hold rally against Wana operation PESHAWAR, March 20: Hundreds of peace activists and social workers took out a procession here on Saturday against the military operation in the South Waziristan region. Protesters, including women and children ... PPP MPA's killing termed a great loss KARACHI, March 20: Members of the Sindh Assembly on Saturday unanimously termed the assassination of PPP lawmaker Abdullah Murad as tragic and a great loss. ... Govt slammed for failing to arrest killers KARACHI, March 20: Leader of the opposition in Sindh Assembly Nisar Khuhro, on Saturday, criticized the government for failing to apprehend killers of Hajra, Sassi and Abdullah Murad and adopting delaying tactics. ... Non-Nato Ally status to harm independence, says JI leader ISLAMABAD, March 20: The central leader of Jamaat Islami, Senator Prof Khurshid Ahmad, has expressed his strong apprehension about Colin Powell's suggestion to give Pakistan a Non-Nato Ally status. ... Benazir supports one-China policy ISLAMABAD, March 20: Pakistan People's Party has reiterated its support to one-China policy and expressed concern over the referendum plan in Taiwan. ... Setting up of medical board for Asif ordered KARACHI, March 20: The District and Sessions Judge (Central), Pir Ali Shah, on Saturday ordered the provincial health secretary to immediately constitute a medical board to ascertain if Asif Ali Zardari ... 5-day remand for accused in Azam Tariq murder case RAWALPINDI, March 20: The special anti-terrorism court No-1 here on Saturday remanded former MNA and one of the three accused in Maulana Azam Tariq murder case, Nawab Amanullah Khan Sial, in police custody for five days. ... 'GHQ's orders on uniform don't apply to President' ISLAMABAD, March 20: The orders of the General Headquarters under which all army officials performing civil duties would stop wearing uniform by March 31 do not apply to President Gen Pervez Musharraf ... US NGO confers award on Musharraf ISLAMABAD, March 20: A US based non-governmental organization has conferred an award on the President Gen Pervez Musharraf in recognition of his contribution to peace. ... Women inmates get remission ISLAMABAD, March 20: President General Pervez Musharraf on Saturday reaffirmed his commitment to the cause of women's emancipation and emphasized the need for political and economic empowerment of women to give the country a progressive image. ... PPP team to visit India KARACHI, March 20: A high-level delegation of PPP will be visiting India from March 27 on a week-long goodwill tour which is expected to give a boost to process of confidence building measures (CBMs) between the two countries. ... Demo for release of Shia leaders held HYDERABAD, March 20: Activists of the Shia Ulema Council Pakistan staged a protest demonstration and observed a hunger strike outside the press club on Saturday for the release of Allama Sajid Ali Naqvi and Allama Jan Ali Shah Kazmi. ... Demonstrators demand end to occupation of Iraq KARACHI, March 20: Speakers at a demonstration on Saturday condemned the occupation of Iraq by the United States and its allied forces and demanded that the occupying armies be withdrawn immediately. ... PIA told to pay dues to 238 ex-employees ISLAMABAD, March 20: The Federal Services Tribunal (FST) has directed the Pakistan International Airlines Corporation to pay dues to 238 employees retired under the October 1997 retrenchment scheme. ... 'Japan's support to help improve highways' ISLAMABAD, March 20: Japan is playing a significant role in development of highways network in Pakistan and mutual cooperation will pave the way for more improvements in this regard. ... 18 women awarded Fatima Jinnah gold medals ISLAMABAD, March 20: The Ministry of Women Development, Social Welfare and Special Education on Saturday awarded Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah Gold Medal to 18 women for their outstanding performances in various walks of life. ... Nursing sector reforms to be implemented ISLAMABAD, March 20: Top priority will be given to the implementation of nursing sector reforms, said the health minister, Muhammad Nasir Khan, while presiding over a meeting here on Saturday. ... Steps being taken to control disease: Spread of leishmaniasis ISLAMABAD, March 20: The ministry of health is in touch with the provincial authorities to monitor and control the spread of leishmaniasis, a deforming skin disease, reported in some districts of the country. ... Call to end gender disparity at workplace RAWALPINDI, March 20: The institutions and organizations in Pakistan, following examples of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and India, should also adopt the code of conduct for gender justice at workplaces to enable men and women to work together with dignity. ... 11 Indian fishermen arrested KARACHI, March 20: Pakistan Maritime Security Agency on Saturday arrested 11 Indian fishermen and seized two boats for fishing in Pakistani waters illegally, an official of the Agency said. ... Dissidents asked to find ways for patch-up MUZAFFARABAD, March 20: Four dissident AJK ministers and a parliamentary secretary on Saturday held sittings with head of Muslim Conference Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan ...

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