22 March 2004 Monday 30 Muharram 1425 NWFP cabinet to be expanded soon: MMA ISLAMABAD March 21: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal government in the NWFP has decided to expand the provincial cabinet to accommodate one representative from each of the four smaller component parties of the six-party alliance to redress their grievances. ... PPP wants NA to discuss 'US ally' issue Multan, March 21: The Punjab PPP has demanded that the matter of giving Pakistan the status of a non-Nato ally by the United States be discussed in parliament. A meeting of the Punjab PPP executive committee was held here on Sunday evening ... Mian Azhar criticizes Wana action LAHORE, March 21: The ongoing Wana operation has increased the despondency and uncertainty in the country, former PML-Q president Mian Muhammad Azhar said on Sunday, urging the rulers not to do anything against the national security and interests. ... Imran Khan blasts 'no-choice' doctrine ISLAMABAD, March 21: Pakistan Tehrik Insaf chairman Imran Khan has termed the military action in the tribal areas "unacceptable" and demanded an immediate ceasefire. ... JI asks govt to stop Wana operation RAWALPINDI, March 21: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Rawalpindi has called upon the federal government to immediately wind up the Wana operation and take the government and people of NWFP into confidence. ... Altaf rejects hue and cry over Wana operation KARACHI, March 21: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has criticized the religious parties which have been condemning the ongoing military operation in South Waziristan. ... Ulema issue edict against Wana action ISLAMABAD, March 21: About 30 leading religious scholars from Rawalpindi and Islamabad declared here on Sunday that there was no legal, constitutional or moral justification for the army operation in Wana. ... JI leader criticizes operation in Wana DERA GHAZI KHAN, March 21: The residents of South Waziristan suffered heavy casualties in the Wana operation, Jamaat-i-Islami general secretary Munawar Hasan said on Sunday. ... Terrorists' capture termed significant LONDON, March 21: Pakistan's contribution towards the global war on terror is significant and can be gauged by the capture of more than 100 suspected terrorists during the ongoing operation in South Waziristan ... PPP slams govt for hike in atta price KARACHI, March 21: Deputy Secretary General of the Pakistan People's Party, Mian Raza Rabbani, has slammed the government for horrifying price spiral that had created a lot of difficulties for the oppressed people. ... Prosecution withdraws journalists' testimonies ISLAMABAD, March 21: The district and sessions judge, Islamabad, on Saturday removed the names of two newsmen from the list of prosecution witnesses in the sedition case against Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy President Makhdoom Javed Hashmi. ... Court reinstates 43 PSO employees ISLAMABAD, March 21: The Supreme Court has reinstated 43 Pakistan State Oil employees inducted during the Pakistan People's Party governments and fired when the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) was ruling in 1997. ... Govt failed to solve problems of people: APC KARACHI, March 21: Deputy chief of Jamaat-i-Islami, Prof Ghafoor Ahmad, has said the government is deliberately promoting poverty, unemployment, price hike and creating lawlessness to break the resistance of people against the rulers. ... Steps planned to protect processions QUETTA, March 21: Balochistan Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani said the other day that the government was considering various steps for ensuring protection of religious processions in congested areas. ... Sultan calls for national stability ISLAMABAD, March 21: Former prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir government Barrister Ch Sultan Mahmud has stressed the need for national stability and consensus to address both internal and external challenges faced by the country. ... Kashmiris want say in talks with India ISLAMABAD, March 21: The UN resolutions and Kashmiris' right to self-determination cannot be sidelined in talks with India to solve the dispute, member advisory committee of Jammu Kashmir People's Party Sardar Khalid Ibrahim said. ... Nadra plans swift centres at foreign missions ISLAMABAD, March 21: The National Database and Registration Authority is planning to establish swift centres at Pakistani foreign missions to facilitate overseas Pakistanis in getting registered with the authority. ... SC reverses verdict against US firm: Bank guarantee controversy ISLAMABAD, March 21: The Supreme Court has finally ended a controversy generated after it had issued a direction to an American multinational to furnish US $1 billion bank guarantee ... Aussie wheat not to be tested by third party LAHORE, March 21: Pakistan on Sunday refused to get Australian wheat tested by a third party, saying that the purchase agreement did not include any such provision. ... Steps urged to avert natural disasters ISLAMABAD, March 21: During the last fifty years, Pakistan has suffered a cumulative financial loss of over Rs380 billion, while more than 6,000 people have died on account of major floods. ... Payment to Mangla Dam victims from March 30 MUZAFFARABAD, March 21: Payment of compensation to the families affected by the construction of the Mangla Dam would begin this month under a relief package announced by the federal government for those affected by the construction and proposed raising of the dam ... Rs23 million allocated for Kashmir road repair MUZAFFARABAD, March 21: The AJK government has earmarked Rs23.757 million for the repair of the road connecting the two parts of Kashmir, according to an official. ...

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