15 May 2004 Saturday 24 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 Unification: several loopholes emerge ISLAMABAD, May 14: The (unified) Pakistan Muslim League will face some legal problems when it applies for registration with the Election Commission and holds election of its office-bearers, according to experts. ... PML to be run on ad-hoc basis till National Alliance merger ISLAMABAD May 14: The (unified) Pakistan Muslim League will be run on an ad-hoc basis without its vital office-bearers and without an approved constitution at least till May 21 . ... MMA given free hand, says MQM ISLAMABAD, May 14: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has alleged that the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal has been given a free hand in Karachi by certain 'invisible and influential powers' as a reward for not opposing the military operation in Wana. ... Qazi demands fresh by-polls under armed forces KARACHI, May 14: Acting President of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) Qazi Hussain Ahmed on Friday reiterated his demand that theMuttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) be disbanded and declared a 'terrorist organization'. ... Government interfered in by-polls, alleges PPP QUETTA, May 14: The president of the Pakistan People's Party, Balochistan, Nawabzada Lashkari Khan Raisani, on Friday warned the government that excesses committed against the party's candidates and leaders during the by-election in Karachi could lead to anarchy. ... Media forced to surrender recording equipment: Shahbaz's deportation ISLAMABAD, May 14: Many of the media persons who returned the other day from Lahore where they had gone to cover the 'transit' drama of Shahbaz Sharif's arrival and departure ... PML-N activists 'not released despite bail' LAHORE, May 14: Detention orders against a number of PML-N leaders and activists prevented their release on Thursday despite the fact that they were allowed bail by anti-terrorist courts. ... 'Leaders abroad be allowed to return' HYDERABAD, May 14: Awami Tehrik chief Rasool Bux Palijo has said that the Musharraf government is planning to sideline the two major political parties of the country. ... Need to protect rights of nationalities stressed QUETTA, May 14: Chief Organizer of the National Party Dr Abdul Hayee Baloch has said that the party believed in democracy which ensured the protection of the legitimate rights of the oppressed nationalities ... Law, order maintained during strike: Ibad, Mahar KARACHI, May 14:Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Mahar have stated that the maintenance of law and order is the prime responsibility of government. ... Rashid hopeful about continuation of talks ISLAMABAD, May 14: Minister for Information Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has expressed the hope that new government in India will continue dialogue with Pakistan. ... 'Pakistan should learn lesson from Indian polls' ISLAMABAD, May 14: Politicians belonging to various parties have stressed that Pakistan should learn a lesson from the "free and fair" elections held in India and expressed the hope that peace process between the two countries will continue. ... Benazir greets Sonia on victory in polls ISLAMABAD, May 14: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairperson Benazir Bhutto has felicitated Sonia Gandhi and her party, Indian National Congress, on their victory in the national elections in India. ... More visas to be issued to Pakistanis: US official ISLAMABAD, May 14: Assistant Secretary for Bureau of Consular Affairs Maura Harty on Friday said the US administration intended to issue more visas to Pakistani nationals this year, compared with last year. ... No pressure on Pakistan's education policy: Nancy ISLAMABAD, May 14: US ambassador to Pakistan, Nancy Powell, said on Friday that Pakistan educational policy is very much sovereign and indigenous and there is no pressure from the United States in this regard. ... Veracity of Australia's advisory disputed ISLAMABAD, May 14: Top law enforcement officials have disputed the authenticity of a recent travel advisory issued by the Australian government warning of terrorists planning attacks in various Pakistani cities. ... Tajikistan president calls on Pervaiz LAHORE, May 14: Tajikistan President Emomali Sharipovich Rahmonov called on Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi here on Friday and discussed with him matters of mutual interest. ... S. African team hopeful about peace in subcontinent KARACHI, May 14: The visiting six-member media delegation from South Africa, on Friday expressed the hope that peace process between Indian and Pakistan would continue. ... Two Chinese leave hospital for home: Gwadar blast KARACHI, May 14: The injured Chinese engineers, who were brought from Gwadar for treatment to Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi, were discharged on Thursday night. ... Bonded labour continues to exist in 10 sectors: report ISLAMABAD, May 14: Debt bondage is illegal under an act of the parliament, but bonded labour continues to exist in at least 10 sectors, including brick kilns, agriculture and carpet industry, said a report here on Friday. ... 'Training of teachers vital to improve education' ISLAMABAD, May 14: The quality of teaching and teachers' training institutions in the country is far from being satisfactory mainly due to lack of adequately trained teachers ... PFUJ, Apnec demand repeal of IRO KARACHI, May 14: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and the All-Pakistan Newspapers Employees Confederation have called upon the government to withdraw the Industrial Relations Ordinance, 2002 ...

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