29 March 2004 Monday 07 Safar 1425 Musharraf not involved in proliferation: Rumsfeld NEW YORK, March 28: US Secretary of Defence, Donald Rumsfeld said on Sunday that there is no evidence or proof that President Pervez Musharraf knew or was in any way involved in the proliferation activities of scientist Dr A. Q. Khan. ... Altaf justifies operation in Wana, blasts critics KARACHI, March 28: Chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain has chided religious and other opposition parties for criticizing the military operation in Wana, South Waziristan, and for holding Gen Musharraf responsible for the country's problems. ... Wana action part of Bush's poll drive: JI PESHAWAR, March 28: Leaders of Jamaat-i-Islami from Fata have demanded an end to the operation in Wana, warning that the military action may turn into a national fiasco. ... Torture of Bhutto: PPP to show documentary LAHORE, March 28: The PPP will show a documentary on the life of Mr Bhutto on April 3, which will include maltreatment to the late prime minister during his detention before being hanged, the Punjab president of the party said on Sunday. ... PPP team meets Hurriyat leaders KARACHI, March 28: The visiting Pakistan People's Party delegation on Sunday assured the Kashmiri leaders that it favoured peace in the region and a solution of the Kashmir problem which was acceptable to the troika - India, Pakistan and the Kashmiri people. ... By-elections marred by allegations of rigging KARACHI, March 28: The by-elections for 118 local body seats that were held here on Sunday were marred by accusations of misuse of government machinery and rigging in favour of the government-backed candidates. ... Zardari's secretary, others held NAWABSHAH, March 28: Police arrested the private secretary of People's Party Parliamentarians leader Asif Ali Zardari and two others here on Sunday on the charge of firing on a car of the Daulatpur taluka Nazim. ... Thar coal to boost economy: Jamali ISLAMABAD, March 28: Sindh Communication, Works and Services Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim called on Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali at the Prime Minister's House here on Sunday. ... Islamabad was asked to take Tehran along on Kabul: US WASHINGTON, March 28: In 1997, the Clinton administration advised Pakistan not to isolate itself in the region when Pakistani leaders complained that Iran was resisting their efforts to arrange a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan. ... Defeat in cricket 'engineered' LAHORE, March 28: A conference of religious parties on Sunday declared the defeat of Pakistan's cricket team in One-dayers at the hands of India as 'engineered' and said it was done to help Prime Minister Vajpayee in his election campaign. ... PTCL signs cable system deal with consortium ISLAMABAD, March 28: The Pakistan Telecommunications Company has signed an agreement with a consortium of 16 international telecom companies for the construction and maintenance of the new submarine cable system at Dubai. ... Rules violated in allotment of 562 houses, says report ISLAMABAD, March 28: The Estate Office allotted 562 government houses of various categories in violation of Pakistan Allocation Rules (PAR) in 2001, auditor general report 2001-2002 said. ... New formula to share gas surcharge devised ISLAMABAD, March 28: The provinces have devised a new formula to share gas development surcharge (GDS) in which both the gas volume and its price would be given proportionate consideration under the sixth national finance commission (NFC) award, Dawn has learnt. ... Govt to bear expenses on Mehdi Hasan's treatment LAHORE, March 28: The government is ready to bear all expenses on singer Mehdi Hasan's treatment. Responding to ghazal maestro's press talk on Saturday, a spokesman for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said on Sunday the government acknowledged the contribution and services of Mr Mehdi Hasan. ... Only 15pc trained seamen find jobs - Employment opportunities shrink after Sept 11 KARACHI, March 28: There is a need to contain the glut of seaman by discontinuing their training as hardly 15 per cent of the over 15,000-strong workforce finds employment, says their union. ... Chevening scholars awarded certificates ISLAMABAD, March 28: British High Commissioner Mark Lyall Grant awarded certificates to Chevening scholars for the year 2002-03 at a ceremony held here on Saturday. Speaking at a ceremony held in this regard at his residence ... 'SAF games to strengthen friendship, harmony' ISLAMABAD, March 28: President General Pervez Musharraf has said that staging of the SAF Games 2004 will pave the way for strengthening friendship and harmony among the SAARC member countries. ... Postage stamps on SAF games KARACHI, March 28: The Pakistan Post Office will on Monday issue commemorative postage stamps of Rs2 denomination on the 9th SAF Games Islamabad 2004, says a press release. ...

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