30 June 2004 Wednesday 11 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425 EC rejects PPP plea to disqualify Shujaat ISLAMABAD, June 29: The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday refused to entertain a PPP disqualification reference against the nomination of PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain as prime minister. ... Going by the script...? ISLAMABAD, June 29: In the relay race for the prime minister's office, the first speech of the elected prime minister, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain ... Fahim qualifies for opposition leader: PPP ISLAMABAD, June 29: The People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) has said Makhdoom Amin Fahim deserves to be appointed as the opposition leader in the National Assembly after the election of the prime minister. ... PPP's anxiety about portfolios ISLAMABAD, June 29: The new PPP on Tuesday attended the coalition parliamentary party meeting after getting an assurance from the prime minister elect Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain that the portfolios of its ministers which they held in Jamali's cabinet not be changed. ... MQM asked to reconsider decision: Sattar ISLAMABAD, June 29: Parliamentary leader of the MQM Dr Farooq Sattar has said Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Shaukat Aziz have asked the party to reconsider its decision of setting a three-month deadline for the government to press for its certain demands. ... I had right to stop Qazi, Fazl: Sindh CM ISLAMABAD, June 29: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Tuesday said he had the right and the powers to stop opposition leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman from entering Karachi in view of the law and order situation. ... Regime paving way for one-man rule: PML-N KARACHI, June 29: The Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), Sindh, has accused the regime of systematically eliminating politicians in order to pave the way for presidential form of government which would suit the men in uniform. ... Lahore bar 'rejects' Shaukat Aziz LAHORE, June 29: The Lahore High Court Bar Association on Tuesday resolved not to accept Shaukat Aziz as prime minister because of interests in advancing the US economic agenda which was fatal to Pakistan. ... A laughing stock LAHORE, June 29: Parliamentary Health Secretary Dr Farzana Nazir again became a laughing stock in the house on Tuesday immediately after taking the floor to participate in the discussion on supplementary budget. ... Habeas corpus plea by PLF dismissed LAHORE, June 29: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday dismissed a habeas corpus petition, which contended that former Punjab chief minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif was in illegal custody of the rulers and he should be produced in a court of law. ... Growing old is mandatory, growing wise optional LAHORE, June 29: The Punjab Assembly, like other legislatures, has completed more than one quarter of its term, but most of the lawmakers have still not learnt much about the role they are supposed to play. ... Opposition terms Sindh budget anti-people KARACHI, June 29: The opposition in Sindh Assembly, on Tuesday, rejected the provincial budget and termed it anti- people. "We are starting the new financial year with a dismal hope ... Sindh PA approves finance bill, budget KARACHI, June 29: After an extended debate and conflicting claims, the Sindh Assembly on Tuesday gave assent to the provincial budget for 2004-05 and the finance bill, which was sought to amend certain laws for providing relief in certain duties and taxes. ... Rs42bn Balochistan budget approved: Opposition stages boycott QUETTA, June 29: The Balochistan Assembly passed Rs42.38 billion budget for year 2004-05 after opposition members walked out of the House to protest against what they alleged discrimination in the allocation of Provincial Social Development Programme (PSDP) funds. ... Deputy speaker defends ruling QUETTA, June 29: The Deputy Speaker of Balochistan Assembly, Mr Mohammad Aslam Bhootani, has criticized the opposition leader for threatening to 'break his legs'. ... Assembly approves Rs433.8m grants PESHAWAR, June 29: The NWFP Assembly has formally approved 10 supplementary demands for grants forwarded by various departments amounting to over Rs433.8 million for 2003-04. ... Non-journalists in NA expose security lapse ISLAMABAD, June 29: The staff of the press information department (PID) caused a security lapse in the National Assembly by allowing non-journalists to enter the Press gallery here on Tuesday. ... Motion filed in NA on murder of Binyamin ISLAMABAD, June 29: Members of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) on Tuesday submitted an adjournment motion to the National Assembly Secretariat on the murder of Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Pir Binyamin Rizvi ... Spending on VVIPs' security, luxuries questioned: Govt defends supplementary budget LAHORE, June 29: The government is spending billions of rupees on extending security cover and luxuries to VVIPs at a time when a majority of people in the province are deprived of basic necessities of life. ... 'Cooperation in telecom a must to reduce poverty': Saarc ministers' moot ISLAMABAD, June 29: Saarc secretary-general Q.A.M.A. Rahim has underscored the urgent need for regional cooperation in development of telecommunications as an effective approach to poverty alleviation and economic development. ... Provinces to submit report on new dams ISLAMABAD, June 29: A crucial inter-provincial meeting has been convened on Thursday, in which the four provinces would submit their official positions on the construction of big dams, Dawn has learnt. ... Rs3.6bn allocated for school food scheme - Senate body informed ISLAMABAD, June 29: The Senate Standing Committee on Women Development on Tuesday was given a comprehensive briefing on the salient features, performance and the activities of Tawana Pakistan Programme. ... Mock trial for subverting constitution ISLAMABAD, June 28: The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) in its 147th meeting has approved the proposals of its action committee to conduct a mock trial of those guilty of subverting the 1973 Constitution. ... 17 polio cases reported in country, says WHO KARACHI, June 29: Pakistan, making its efforts to attain the goal of zero prevalence of polio by the end of the current year, has reported no less than 17 confirmed cases of the disease during the first six months of the year 2004. ... President's clarification on 7th Wage Board Award ISLAMABAD, June 29: An official spokesman has clarified that the office of the President was in no way concerned or associated with the subject of the 7th Wage Board Award nor was there any intention of placing curbs on the national media ... Jirga backs action in tribal areas PESHAWAR, June 29: A jirga on Tuesday backed the government action against foreign elements in the tribal areas besides unanimously endorsing a plan to introduce 'Agency Councils' in FATA and said it was in consonance with tribal customs and traditions. ... UNHCR to close eight refugee camps PESHAWAR, June 29: The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) will close eight Afghan refugee camps in the tribal areas and near Peshawar by the end of August, officials said. ... Zamir Niazi's services for freedom of expression eulogized ISLAMABAD, June 29: The services and works of eminent journalist, Zamir Niazi, were remembered by intellectuals, journalists and academmicians here on Tuesday. ...

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