10 April 2004 Saturday 19 Safar 1425 Govt fears Shahbaz return, says PML-N ISLAMABAD, April 9: The government fears the expected return of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president, Shahbaz Sharif. This was stated by the PML-N leader, Khwaja Saad Rafiq ... 'Sharifs bound by by exile agreement': Shahbaz won't dare return - Faisal LAHORE, April 9: Interior Minister Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat says Mian Shahbaz Sharif will not dare come back to Pakistan because of the banishment accord. ... MMA rejects National Security Council KARACHI, April 9: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal leadership on Thursday rejected the National Security Council, saying it was "rigged through the National Assembly". They said the law was a violation of the Constitution. ... Motion for debate on NFC defeated KARACHI, April 9: Treasury benches in the Sindh Assembly on Friday defeated, on technical grounds, the opposition's bid to discuss the issue of NFC award during the ongoing session requisitioned to discuss MPA Abdullah Murad's killing. ... Jamali vows to strengthen democracy ISLAMABAD, April 9: The government is committed to strengthening the democratic institutions in the country. This was stated by Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali while talking to the National Assembly speaker, Chaudhry Amir Hussain ... PAT chairman's wings clipped LAHORE, April 9: The Pakistan Awami Tehrik, 'outcast' from both the political as well as religious parties -- and hated alike by the ruling coalition and the two major opposition alliances -- is holding closed-door meetings these days ... Asfandyar criticizes Wana operation QUETTA, April 9: Senator and Awami National Party's central president Asfandyar Wali Khan alleged on Friday that the government was behind what he termed a hide-and-seek game with of Al Qaeda and Taliban terrorists in South Waziristan ... Democratic institutions to be strengthened: PM ISLAMABAD, April 9: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali said on Friday that the government was committed to strengthening democratic institutions in the country. ... Opposition to move bill against anti-labour laws ISLAMABAD, April 9: The MNAs belonging to the opposition parties would move a bill against anti-labour laws in the National Assembly. This was decided at a consultative body meeting organized by the Pakistan Trade Unions ... PM satisfied with IT progress ISLAMABAD, April 9: The Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has expressed his government's determination to undertake efforts for the speedy development of IT sector. ... Wattoo acquitted LAHORE April 9: Anti-corruption judge Faiz Talib on Friday acquitted former chief minister Manzoor Wattoo and seven others of charges in four references due to lack of evidence. ... UNHCR teams to check refugees KOHAT, April 9: The UNHCR has decided to send its mobile teams to North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Kurram tribal region and southern parts of the NWFP to start verification of the Afghan refugees, sources said. ... Ban on parties' activities sought PESHAWAR, April 9: The Tehrik-i-Ittehad-i-Qabael has criticized the role of religious and political parties during the military operation in Wana and urged the government to ban their activities in Fata. ... Refugees returning to home in N. Areas GILGIT, April 9: The Northern Areas Deputy Chief Executive Haji Fida Muhammad Nashad announced on Friday that over 7,000 refugees who had been displaced due to the Indian firing along the Line of Control (LoC) had started returning to their homes ... Progress on Gwadar Port project reviewed ISLAMABAD, April 9: A meeting to review the progress on the Gwadar Port project was held here on Friday. Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz presided over the meeting and was attended by the ministers for communication, industries and railways ... Steps for peaceful coexistence suggested: Pakistan-India relations KARACHI, April 9: Former ombudsman of Sindh Justice (r) Haziqul Khairi has said that Khokhrapar-Monabao train route and the Indian consulate in Karachi be reopened for the convenience of those intending to visit India from Sindh. ... Uniform job structure for teachers, says minister ISLAMABAD, April 9: The education ministry is working on a project to introduce a uniform service structure for teachers throughout the country.... Revoke tax exemptions, IMF asks Pakistan ISLAMABAD, April 9: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan to withdraw all tax exemptions and recover across the board tax from every potential individual and institution. ... WWF drive on environment KARACHI, April 9: The Sui Southern Gas Company is providing support to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) campaign for environmental awareness among schoolchildren under its Corporate Social Responsibility programme. ... Australian wheat: Firm claims damages ISLAMABAD, April 9: The firm that imported reportedly infected Australian wheat has given a final notice to the government through the ministry of food and agriculture, asking it to either pay Rs1,576 million damages or face legal action. ... Railways revenue drops by Rs1.2bn ISLAMABAD, April 9: Pakistan Railways' freight revenue dropped by about Rs1.2 billion during first nine months of the current fiscal year against the same period of the last year. ... Journalists boycott PA proceedings KARACHI, April 9: Journalists associated with local print and electronic media boycotted Friday's proceedings of the Sindh Assembly in protest against misbehaviour with two reporters by security staff at the main gate of the assembly building. ...

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