29 April 2004 Thursday 08 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 NA session from May 10 ISLAMABAD, April 28: The pre-budget session of the National Assembly is scheduled to be summoned from May 10 to 24, official sources told Dawn on Wednesday. The Senate session has already been summoned on the requisition of the combined opposition on May 4. ... Heated debate on NSC likely in Senate ISLAMABAD, April 28: The senate session, scheduled to be summoned on opposition's requisition on May 4, is likely to be dominated by heated debates mainly on the setting up of the National Security Council, opposition members said. ... PML-N criticizes Kasuri's statement LAHORE, April 28: The PML-N central working committee has expressed concern over Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri's recent statement that a roadmap for a solution to the Kashmir issue has been prepared. ... Asif accuses Sindh govt of targeting policemen ISLAMABAD, April 28: The jailed leader of Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Asif Ali Zardari, has said that police officers, who took part in the operation clean-up against "terrorists" in Karachi in 1992, are being targeted in Sindh under a planned move. ... Govt finalizes names of PA standing bodies' heads KARACHI, April 28: The coalition side on Wednesday finalized the names of eight MPAs to be nominated for election as chairmen of the Sindh Assembly's standing committees. ... NWFP PPP president resigns MARDAN, April 28: Pakistan People's Party's Provincial president Khwaja Mohammad Khan Hoti has resigned from the party, saying he will decide his future political line after consultations with friends and workers. ... Hashmi not produced in court LAHORE, April 28: Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) President Makhdoom Javed Hashmi was not produced on Wednesday in the city's accountability court No 2, which adjourned the hearing of a reference against him till May 10. ... Elections inevitable, says PPP leader BAHAWALPUR, April 28: Punjab PPP president Qasim Zia has held the president responsible for the current 'disastrous' situation which, he claimed, had rendered parliamentary elections inevitable. ... Students oppose changes in curriculum PESHAWAR, April 28: The Muttahida Tulba Mahaz, a united front of three religious student organizations, has warned the federal government of severe consequences if changes are made in the curriculum at the behest of Western donor agencies. ... Govt to launch 'each one teach one' programme ISLAMABAD, April 28: The government will soon launch "each one teach one" programme to improve literacy rate in the country, Federal Minister for Education Zobaida Jalal said here on Wednesday. ... HEC launches chemistry core group ISLAMABAD, April 28: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has constituted a national core group in chemistry to work out a strategy for strengthening of chemical science education in the country. ... SC irked by NAB's failure to furnish documents ISLAMABAD, April 28: National Accountability Bureau Prosecutor-General Irfan Qadir on Wednesday failed to produce, on the Supreme Court's orders ... Malaysian firm allowed to build jetty ISLAMABAD, April 28: The Supreme Court the other day granted permission to a Malaysian Company Felda to build a jetty at Port Qasim. ... 'Registration of Haj tour operators under study' ISLAMABAD, April 28: The Ministry of Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushr is considering starting registration of tour operators and group organizers for Haj-2005. ... Minister calls for plan to increase farm output RAWALPINDI, April 28: Pakistani scientists should devise methods for increasing agriculture production according to international standards and without damaging environment or compromising on quality. ... Half of AJK development allocation remains unutilized MUZAFFARABAD, April 28: Government departments in Azad Kashmir have failed to utilize even less than half of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) funds by the end of current year's third quarter which ended on March 31. ... Nancy visits Torkham PESHAWAR, April 28: US Ambassador Nancy Powell visited the Torkham checkpoint at the Pakistan-Afghan border, some 45 kilometres west of here. She travelled to the border checkpoint amid tight security arrangements along the Peshawar-Torkham highway. ... 50 students to visit China under exchange programme ISLAMABAD, April 28: A group comprising 50 students from different universities and colleges will visit China in December this year. This was stated by the state minister for culture and tourism, Rais Munir Ahmed ... Forensic sciences course concludes MUZAFFARABAD, April 28: A team of British police officers wound up on Wednesday a training course on forensic sciences for AJK police and judicial service officials with participants and trainers claiming success of the programme. ... Import ban on Chinese, Indian drugs will stay PESHAWAR, April 28: Provincial Health Minister Inayatullah Khan declared in categorical terms on Wednesday that the provincial government would not allow import of Indian, Iranian and Chinese medicines on the pretext that their drugs were cheaper and better in quality. ...

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