21 May 2004 Friday 01 Rabi-us-Saani 1425 EC refuses to vacate stay on publication of by-poll results ISLAMABAD, May 20: The Election Commission on Thursday rejected Muttahida Qaumi Movement's request to vacate the stay against publication of official results of by-elections to three National Assembly and one provincial assembly seats in Karachi. ... Petition against Musharraf's election returned LAHORE, May 20: The Lahore High Court registrar office on Thursday returned Punjab Assembly opposition leader Qasim Zia's petition against the election of Gen Pervez Musharraf as president, raising an objection that it was not fit for hearing. ... PML-Q MPA unseated, fresh polls ordered ISLAMABAD, May 20: The Supreme Court ordered on Thursday fresh election in PP-156 Lahore by unseating PML-Q MPA Haroon Akhtar. A three-member SC bench, comprising Chief Justice Nazim Hussain Siddiqui, Justice Javed Iqbal and Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar ... Govt regrets opposition's stand on C'wealth ISLAMABAD, May 20: Pakistan on Thursday regretted action by some political elements to oppose reinstatement of Pakistan's membership to the Commonwealth. ... PML-N, PPP poles apart on basic issues ISLAMABAD, May 20: The ideological differences between two major ARD component parties resurfaced once again when the PML-N decided to oppose the stance taken by the PPP on various important issues including Hudood laws, Wana operation and the textbooks controversy. ... MMA criticizes move to review blasphemy law HYDERABAD, May 20: The secretary-general of the Muttehida Majlis-i-Amal, Sindh, Dr Khalid Mehmood Soomro, has criticized President Gen Pervez Musharraf's proposal to appoint a committee to review the blasphemy law. ... MMA trying to destabilize Centre, Sindh govt: MQM KARACHI, May 20: Reiterating its demand that the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) be disbanded, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Thursday observed that the component parties of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) were trying to uproot federal and Sindh governments by shattering peace in Karachi. ... PPP submits new bill to NA office: Freedom of information ISLAMABAD, May 20: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) MNA Sherry Rehman has submitted a bill, called "Freedom of Information Act 2004", to the National Assembly Secretariat in order to create what she says essential involvement of civil society in public service issues ... Hearing of Zardari's appeal put off KARACHI, May 20: The hearing of an appeal filed by Hakim Ali Zardari, former chairman of Public Accounts Committee, was put off indefinitely by an appellate bench of the Sindh High Court ... Resolution on Kargil war rejected by Senate chief ISLAMABAD, May 20: Senate Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro has staved off another resolution and identical motion on the Kargil war from being discussed in the Senate saying, "it is likely to generate a discussion on a matter which is detrimental to public interest". ... New cadre of bearers to be inducted in Army ISLAMABAD, May 20: Pakistan Army would induct a new cadre of Non-Combatant Bearers (NCBs) at a cost of over Rs2 billion annually to act as servants of the officers. ... NAB launches radio programme ISLAMABAD, May 20: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has recovered Rs180 billion during the last four years, the NAB chairman, Lt-Gen Munir Hafiz, said here on Thursday ... Pakistan, BD to promote economic cooperation ISLAMABAD, May 20: Pakistan and Bangladesh will develop close liaison in pursuing economic reforms to leverage expertise for consolidating financial gains by the two countries. ... Provinces face more hurdles in transfer of funds: Zobaida ISLAMABAD, May 20: There are numerous bottlenecks in the smooth transfer of funds to the provincial governments than the district governments for implementation of various educational programmes in the country ... Kashmiris need to unite: Iranian official ISLAMABAD, May 20: Kashmiris can impress upon the world community only if they are united and reach a consensus on Kashmir issue resolution. This was stated by the first secretary of the Iranian embassy ... Islamabad condemns Israeli incursion UNITED NATIONS, May 20: Pakistan on Wednesday condemned recent Israeli incursions in the Rafah area which left scores of Palestinian civilians dead or fatally injured. ... ADB team briefed on pollution control LAHORE, May 20: District Nazim Mian Amer Mahmood discussed on Thursday the Million-Dollar Pollution Control Programme with a three-member delegation of the Asian Development Bank. ... Indian films: cinemas claim positive response LAHORE, May 20: The federal government has reportedly responded "positively" to the cinema owners' demand regrading import and exhibition of Indian films in Pakistan. ... 150,000 to perform Haj, says minister ISLAMABAD, May 20: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Ejazul Haq has said under the new Haj policy, 150,000 pilgrims would perform Hajj and 300,000 visit the holy land for Umra every year. ... Rs190bn allocation for PSDP likely ISLAMABAD, May 20: The Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC) meets here on Saturday to approve an allocation of Rs190 billion for Public Sector Development Programme (2004-05) ...

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