28 April 2004 Wednesday 07 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 PML-N meets today LAHORE, April 27: The central working committee of the PML-N is meeting here on Wednesday (today) to discuss the date and modalities of party president Mian Shahbaz Sharif's return to Pakistan at a time when the government is making all possible efforts to have the exiled leader's homecoming blocked. ... Shahbaz's return to make 'no difference' LAHORE, April 27: Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said here on Tuesday that arrival of Mian Shahbaz Sharif would not make any difference to the government. Replying to questions by reporters after inspecting work on the underpasses near the Jinnah and Doctors Hospitals, he said: ... No plan to merge PML-Q with Patriots: minister ISLAMABAD, April 27: There is no plan to merge the Pakistan People's Party-Patriots with the Pakistan Muslim League-Q, says Defence minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal. Mr Iqbal, who is the chairman of the Patriots group said in a statement ... Zardari's lawyer objects to re-summoning witness ISLAMABAD, April 27: The lawyer of jailed PPP leader Asif Zardari told the Supreme Court here on Tuesday that a prosecution witness could not be re-summoned once he had testified and had been cross-examined in a trial. ... PML-N leader allowed to submit evidence ISLAMABAD, April 27: The Supreme Court on Monday allowed PML-N information secretary Siddiqul Farooq to submit within two weeks record against his conviction in a reference about illegal appointments and misuse of authority as chairman of the House Building Finance Corporation. ... Talks could have averted bloodshed in Wana: MMA MANSEHRA, April 27: The provincial chief of JUI-F, MNA Maulana Amanullah, has said that timely negotiations could have averted the massive damage caused by the Wana operation. ... PPP to launch protest drive if bus routes not restored ISLAMABAD, April 27: The People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) has threatened to launch a protest movement if the Punjab government does not allow transporters to run their vehicles on routes franchised to a private bus company. ... Pakistan sincere in talks with India: Jamali ISLAMABAD, April 27: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has said that Pakistan is sincere in holding talks with India to resolve all outstanding issues, including the core issue of Kashmir. ... Leghari urges fair deal for poor countries SHANGHAI, April 27: Former president Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari has stressed the need for promoting a fair socio-economic order and bringing poor countries in the mainstream of economic development in order to get rid of terrorism. ... IMF briefed about economic growth WASHINGTON, April 27: Pakistan the other day told the International Monetary Fund that this is going to be the last year that we seek Fund's assistance. ... Sherpao calls for water conservation ISLAMABAD, April 27: Federal Minister for Water and Power Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao says flood prevention and control programmes running under the Federal Flood Commission (FFC) are of vital importance for optimum water management in the country. ... Poor students must get scholarship, says Zobaida ISLAMABAD, April 27: Education Minister Zobaida Jalal on Tuesday stressed the need for providing equal opportunities to disadvantaged children by offering scholarships and subsidising their education. ... Islam upholds rights of refugee, says expert ISLAMABAD, April 27: The attitude of remaining silent over violations of human rights is a primitive crime and the options to abstain from it are either to react within the possible limitations or to get aside from that situation if one is not in a position to react vigorously. ... Rawa stages demo against HR violations in Afghanistan ISLAMABAD, April 27: Afghan refugees held a demonstration outside UN offices here on Tuesday against what they called the continuation of Taliban's fundamentalist policies ... Over 74,000 Afghan DPs repatriated: UNHCR QUETTA, April 27: Over 13,000 Afghan refugees have returned to their country from Balochistan under the voluntary repatriation programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees since March 15. ... AJK leader calls for Kashmir roadmap ISLAMABAD, April 27: People will accept a settlement of the Kashmir dispute only if it is in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions, says the leader of the Opposition in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Barrister Sultan Mehmood. ... Britain to share forensic expertise MUZAFFARABAD, April 27: A team of British police officers arrived here on Tuesday to impart training to local police and judicial service officials on forensic science as part of a programme ... Website on water resources launched ISLAMABAD, April 27: The provinces have sought an additional federal assistance of Rs8.3 billion for fiscal 2004-05 to harness flood water run-off schemes, senator Nisar Memon, the chairman of parliamentary committee on water resources, said on Monday. ...

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