17 May 2004 Monday 26 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 MMA discusses vital issues today ISLAMABAD May 16: The supreme council of Muttahida Majlis-i- Amal (MMA) has convened its emergency meeting on Monday to discuss and chalk out a strategy to handle the ARD's opposition to its nominee Maulana Fazlur Rahman as leader of the opposition in the National Assembly ... MMA boycotts inquiry into rigging allegations KARACHI, May 16: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal has announced that it will boycott the inquiry beginning from Monday by Justice Muhammad Sadiq Leghari into allegations of irregularities and violence in by-elections on three national and one provincial assemblies constituencies in Karachi. ... PPP rejects EC's probe into by-poll 'irregularities' KARACHI, May 16: The opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly and provincial chief of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Nisar Ahmad Khuro, on Sunday, expressing his dissatisfaction over the Election Commission's probe into the alleged by-poll irregularities ... JI rejects inquiry commission: Karachi by-elections HYDERABAD, May 16: Jamaat-i-Islami secretary general Syed Munawar Hassan has rejected the appointment of a one-man commission to hold inquiry intoallegations of vote rigging in Karachi by-elections. ... Defection by more PML-N MPs likely LAHORE, May 16: The Punjab government is working on causing more defections in the PML-N after Ahad Malik who defected to the ruling PML-Q following a meeting with Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi on Sunday. ... Warrants for PML-N men SAHIWAL, May 16: Police on Sunday reportedly issued arrest warrants for 17 PML-N activists, including the district president under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). They have reportedly gone underground to avoid arrests. ... Qazi escapes unhurt as dais collapses GILGIT, May 16: Acting president of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal Qazi Hussain Ahmed escaped unhurt when the stage of a meeting he was attending collapsed here on Sunday. The incident created panic at the Integrity Kashmir Conference held here. ... Peace process should continue: ANP ISLAMABAD May 16: The Awami National Party (ANP) has expressed the hope that the ongoing peace talks between India and Pakistan will continue in the larger interest of both the nations. ... Hyderi Mosque bomb blast Baghdadi mosque imam one of suspects - Hyderi Mosque bomb blast KARACHI, May 16: Police are conducting raids to arrest a prayer leader of a Baghdadi mosque for being an associate of the alleged perpetrator of the Hyderi mosque bomb blast. ... Imran predicts fresh polls by 2006 WASHINGTON, May 16: By winter 2006, there will be fresh elections in Pakistan under a new president, Imran Khan told a briefing in Washington on Sunday. ... Mahar hopeful of NFC settlement SUKKUR, May 16: Sindh Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Mahar has said that the NFC Award issue will be resolved before the next budget and all differences between the federal and provincial governments over certain points will also be addressed. ... Altaf for better ties with India KARACHI, May 16: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has said that the geographical changes do not change the cultural bond between the people. ... PM says govt committed to people's well-being JACOBABAD, May 16: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has said that his government is committed to working for people's well-being and prosperity. ... Passengers of PIA remain stranded in Beijing ISLAMABAD, May 16: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has left its passengers stranded in Beijing since Friday evening without making any alternative arrangements to bring them back to Islamabad. ... French team briefed on govt's achievements PESHAWAR, May 16: The NWFP Minister for Information Technology, Hussain Ahmad Kanju, has said that the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal government during the last 18 months did a tremendous job in different social sectors ... Timetable for peace talks may be revised ISLAMABAD, May 16: Amid signals from New Delhi and Islamabad that the nascent peace process between the two countries will continue despite the change of government in India ... Al Qaeda suspect freed on court orders KOHAT, May 16: Intelligence agencies released an Al Qaeda suspect after the High Court ordered that he be produced in court, a senior member of the banned Sipah-i-Sahaba group has confirmed. ... Bajiya gets lifetime achievement award KARACHI, May 16: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad paid tributes to prominent writer Fatima Surriya Bajiya and presented her lifetime achievement award at a ceremony on Saturday night. ...

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