15 June 2004 Tuesday 26 Rabi-us-Saani 1425 Opposition to dominate NA budget debate ISLAMABAD, June 14: Opposition politics is likely to dominate the present National Assembly's first proper budget debate that opens on Tuesday morning with planned attacks on government policies. ... Budget session: MMA chalks out strategy ISLAMABAD, June 14: A joint meeting of the members of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal in the National Assembly and the Senate was held on Monday evening at the Parliament House here to chalk out strategy for the budget session resuming on Tuesday. ... ARD terms budget a joke with nation ISLAMABAD, June 14: The Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) has termed the federal budget a "joke" with the nation and rejected the same in totality. ... ARD to discuss budget, Wana LAHORE, June 14: A meeting of the ARD is expected to be held next week to discuss the overall situation in the country, coalition's senior vice-president Mansoor Khan said on Monday. ... Budget aimed at protecting interests of rich: parties KARACHI, June 14: Political leaders have expressed their dismay over the federal budget for 2004-2005 which, they said, was aimed at protecting the interests of privileged class. ... Altaf's offer to Nawaz, Benazir LONDON, June 14: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has offered "unconditional cooperation" to all political forces if they evolved a pragmatist approach to help the country face the current daunting challenges. ... Plea against Shahbaz's deportation dismissed LAHORE, June 14: The Lahore High Court on Monday dismissed a petition of the Pakistan Lawyers Forum against the deportation of PML-N president Mian Shahbaz Sharif. ... President asks legislators to help counter extremism ISLAMABAD, June 14: It is the duty of every Pakistani particularly of the elected representatives to counter religious extremism and promote the moderate face of the country. ... Suspects given in police custody - Attack on corps commander's convoy KARACHI, June 14: Eight suspects allegedly involved in the attack on the corps commander's convoy were given in police custody for interrogation and investigation for 14 days. ... Cabinet expansion in phases, says CM: Law, order top priority KARACHI, June 14: Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that he will expand the cabinet in phases and the next phase will take place after the announcement of provincial budget. ... Ashura attack report to be made public: cabinet QUETTA, June 14: The Balochistan Cabinet has approved payment of compensation to victims of the Ashura carnage and decided to release a report of the tribunal formed to investigate the terrorist attack. ... Rapprochement with three Baloch leaders sabotaged QUETTA, June 14: Balochistan National Congress Central President Dr Hakim Lehri said on Monday that opportunists have sabotaged the rapprochement which occurred recently between the government and three veteran Baloch nationalist figures. ... 'LHC has no jurisdiction under Army Act' RAWALPINDI, June 14: The Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court was told here on Monday that it has no jurisdiction to hear cases of six army officers, under custody of the military authorities for allegedly violating the Army Act. ... APL clarifies PESHAWAR, June 14: The Attock Petroleum Limited has clarified its position regarding a news item published in Dawn on Sunday, June 13, about alleged irregularities in export of petroleum products to Afghanistan through fake shipping bills. ... UNDP to provide Rs29.2m to NCSW ISLAMABAD, June 14: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will provide a sum of Rs29.2 million for strengthening the organizational capacity of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW). ... PTV to earn Rs4bn thru licence fee: New collection system ISLAMABAD, June 14: The Pakistan Television Corporation will become one of the few richest corporations in the country with a revenue of Rs4.1 billion annually collected through monthly television licence fee ... Pakistan Steel considering expansion ISLAMABAD, June 14: The Pakistan Steel is considering a plan to enhance mill's production capacity from 1.1. million tons to 1.5 million tons through its own resources. ... 'Societal tendencies cause of violence against women' ISLAMABAD, June 14: Violence against women in Pakistan is an expression of patriarchy and a manifestation of asymmetrical power relationship between women and men. ... Computer link urged for police stations ISLAMABAD, June 14: Information Technology Minister Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari on Monday directed the Pakistan Computer Bureau (PCB) to come up with a project aimed at inter-linking about 1,200 police stations of the country. ... Wider powers proposed for sales tax officials ISLAMABAD, June 14: The government has sought to empower sales tax officials to summon any company, seek any document and search any premises under warrant, and they will be able to seek help from various agencies ... Budget offers incentives only to rich: APMA ISLAMABAD, June 14: Chairman of All-Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) Shahbaz Bhatti has said the federal budget for the year 2004-05 is an 'elitist' budget aimed at offering more incentives and relaxations to the rich and influential. ... Afghan DPs to be relocated to Tank PESHAWAR, June 14: The Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees (CAR) is preparing a contingency plan to settle thousands of refugees from the South Waziristan tribal region to be relocated to in Tank district of Dera Ismail Khan ...

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