19 April 2004 Monday 28 Safar 1425 More PML-N leaders due in London LAHORE, April 18: PML-N leaders are reaching London one by one as their meeting to discuss return of party president Mian Shahbaz Sharif to Pakistan will begin on Tuesday. ... PPP welcomes EU stand on democracy ISLAMABAD, April 18: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has welcomed the European Union for condemning the military regime's poor record of human rights and democracy in Pakistan. ... Lawyers reject military's formal role in politics ISLAMABAD, April 18: The Supreme Court Bar Association has rejected what it calls formalisation of the military's role in politics and vowed to continue to resist the militarisation of Pakistani politics. ... Asghar opposes army role in politics LAHORE, April 18: Opposing any constitutional role for the armed forces in national politics, the Qaumi Jamhoori Party (QJP) has demanded an immediate end to the army rule in the country. ... Altaf wants 'anti-Sindh projects' stopped KARACHI, April 18: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has said that economy of the country, its nuclear programme and military power is dependent on Sindh ... Shaista, Balakh join Muttahida KARACHI, April 18: Ms Shaista Almani, along with her husband Mr Balkh Sher, on Saturday formally announced that they have joined the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. ... PML-Q, MMA condemn killing of Hamas leader ISLAMABAD, April 18: Political parties have condemned the assassination of Hamas leader Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi and his son by Israel. In a statement on Sunday ... Govt to help people get loans, says Musharraf LAHORE, April 18: President Gen Pervez Musharraf said here on Sunday that having strengthened the national economy, the government was now considering how to make its benefits trickle down to the poor. ... PM to open conference against corruption ISLAMABAD, April 18: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali will inaugurate the international conference on the UN Convention Against Corruption being held here from April 20 to 22. ... Foreign suspects to be forced out if jirga fails: governor PESHAWAR, April 18: Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah has said that the government has made up its mind to effectively deal with foreign elements in the tribal areas, and if the jirga fails to persuade these elements to surrender ... Target killings this year claim 23 lives so far KARACHI, April 18: The city has witnessed target killings of 23 people who include MPA Abdullah Murad, PPP (Shaheed Bhutto) leader Ali Mohammad Sonara and six members of law-enforcement agencies since the beginning of this year. ... 'Lack of rules no excuse to deny people information' ISLAMABAD, April 18: The federal ombudsman has declared that absence of rules is no excuse to deny information to citizens under the Freedom of Information Ordinance 2002. ... Indian team of street-sports children due tomorrow KARACHI, April 18: A 32-member cricket team of Indian street children is arriving on a 10-day 'Cricket for Peace 2004' tour of the country on Tuesday. The tape-ball cricket tour is being organized by a United Kingdom-based NGO, ActionAid ... 'Cricket series allayed security fears' ISLAMABAD, April 18: Pakistan has allayed the security fears of the international community by organizing the cricket series between Pakistan and India in a peaceful atmosphere, the chief coordinator security and protocol of the series, Arif Raheem, told Dawn on Sunday. ... 'Proposals on farm to be incorporated in budget' ISLAMABAD, April 18: A three-day National Conference on Role of Agriculture in Poverty Alleviation would begin here on April 21, whose recommendations would be presented to the government. ... Islamabad condemns Rantissi's killing ISLAMABAD, April 18: Pakistan on Sunday condemned the killing of the top Hamas leader Abdel Aziz al Rantissi by Israel a day earlier, calling it a violation of international law. ... State Life secures Rs386m premium BHURBAN, April 18: The State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan has successfully earned Rs386 million first year premium (new business) during the first quarter of 2004 by providing financial protection to 40,932 new policy holders and their families nationwide. ... Nadra to set up 'Swift Centres' abroad ISLAMABAD, April 18: The National Database and Registration Authority has produced 36.3 million computerized identity cards for Pakistani citizens and is planning to establish Swift Centres in Pakistani missions abroad to facilitate expatriates in getting registered. ... Education may help prevent diabetes KARACHI, April 18: Experts from home and abroad who spoke at the third and final day of a health conference on Sunday were of the view that education could act as a tool in prevention of the primary form of diabetes. ... 'About 60 women die of pregnancy-related complications daily' ISLAMABAD, April 18: About 60 women die of pregnancy-related complications in the country everyday, while unskilled birth attendants are one of the major factors responsible for the high maternal mortality rate. ... Condolences sent to Bangladesh ISLAMABAD, April 18: President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Sunday condoled with President of Bangladesh Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Begum Khaleda Zia, respectively, on the loss of lives caused by tornadoes in Mymensing and Netrakona. ... Border security discussed GILGIT, April 18: High-ranking officials of China and the Northern Areas administration discussed on Friday security situation along Pakistan-China border, sources told Dawn. The issues which came under discussion at the meeting included illegal border crossing and smuggling, the sources said. ...

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