12 June 2004 Saturday 23 Rabi-us-Saani 1425 Govt seeks to enhance revenue base HARIPUR, June 11: The government was making efforts to enhance its Rs515 billion revenue base of the current fiscal year and expected to achieve the target of Rs565 billion during 2004-05, said federal parliamentary secretary finance MNA Omar Ayub Khan. ... Unemployment rate soars to 8.27pc: Shaukat launches Economic Survey ISLAMABAD, June 11: Unemployment rate has increased from 7.82 percent in 2000-01 to 8.27 percent in 2003-04, with a total of 3.72 million labour force as unemployed in the country, Economic Survey of Pakistan (ESP) 2003-04 revealed. ... Poverty has declined in 2004 - Shaukat ISLAMABAD, June 11: Poverty at the national level has declined by 4.2 per cent during the outgoing fiscal, according to the Economic Survey 2003-04 released here on Friday. The most important pre-budget document claims that the rising trends in poverty have been arrested due to a Rs860 billion cumulative spending on social sectors and poverty related programmes over the past five years. ... ARD walks out of NA against victimization of opposition ISLAMABAD, June 11: Members of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) on Friday staged a walkout in the National Assembly when Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain ruled out a point of order raised by one of its members regarding 'victimization' of the opposition. ... MMA protests against terrorism KARACHI, June 11: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on Friday held protest demonstrations after Friday prayers at Lasbela Chowk and Lyari against the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi and killing of 11 persons in an attack on Corps Commander's motorcade. ... MQM warns of attack's serious repercussions ISLAMABAD, June 11: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement's parliamentary leader in the National Assembly, Dr Farooq Sattar, said on Friday that the attack on the Karachi corps commander could have serious repercussions. ... Musharraf calls for strengthening OIC ISLAMABAD, June 11: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has underlined the need for revitalization and strengthening of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and effective follow up of the strategy outlined in the OIC's resolution ... JI for Sindh governor's removal LAHORE, June 11: Jamaat-i-Islami Secretary-General Syed Munawwar Hasan has demanded the removal of Sindh governor to normalize the situation in Karachi. ... Strike against Wana action TIMERGARAH, June 11: A complete strike was observed and demonstrations were organized at various places in lower Dir district against the army operation going on in Wana on Friday. ... Kargil plan 'prepared to sabotage' peace moves LAHORE, June 11: Mian Nawaz Sharif had ordered the withdrawal of troops from Kargil because of the alleged blackmail by then army chief Gen Musharraf, a spokesman for the deposed prime minister said on Friday. ... Culprits to be arrested soon, says Rashid RAWALPINDI, June 11: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Friday said that probe is under way on Karachi incident and culprits would be arrested soon. ... Notice issued to AG on petition against LFO ISLAMABAD, June 11: The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the Attorney General of Pakistan on a review petition filed against the Legal Framework Order (LFO). ... Curfew relaxed for nine hours in Gilgit GILGIT, June 11: The authorities extended the curfew break to nine hours on the ninth day here on Friday in two different intervals, the first from 5am to 10am and the second from 3pm to 7pm. ... NA calls for implementation of wage award ISLAMABAD, June 11: The National Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on Friday urging the government to take immediate steps for the implementation of the award of the seventh wage board for newspaper industry employees. ... Major power breakdown in Punjab, NWFP LAHORE, June 11: A damaged conductor on a 500kv line coming from Tarbela near Rwat disrupted the supply of power to many cities in the Punjab and some in the NWFP on Friday night. ... LEAs asked to arrest or eliminate criminals KARACHI, June 11: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has called for a comprehensive and coordinated strategy, as well as effective measures, to control law and order in the province. ... Telephone connections rose to 4.2 million ISLAMABAD, June 11: Teledensity in Pakistan has registered a stable growth over the past few years as fixed telephone connections have doubled from 2.4 million in 1996 to 4.2 million till February 2004, the Economic Survey 2003-04 said. ... Three countries buy wheat rejected by Pakistan ISLAMABAD, June 11: The Australian wheat was rejected by the government of Pakistan as being unfit for human consumption, although it had since been purchased by UAE, Sri Lanka and Indonesia ...

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