13 July 2004 Tuesday 24 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425 EC takes measures to ensure fair, free by-elections ISLAMABAD, July 12: The Election Commission of Pakistan has taken measures to ensure transparency in by-elections in the NA-59 and NA-229 constituencies and made arrangements to hold these elections in a fair, free and impartial atmosphere. ... EC takes notice of alleged patronage in electioneering ISLAMABAD, July 12: The Election Commission has taken notice of alleged patronage in the electioneering of Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz for two National Assembly seats and has conveyed to quarters concerned that such fanfare was not fair. ... Four more ministers, 7 advisers inducted KARACHI, July 12: The Sindh cabinet was further expanded on Monday with the induction of four new ministers, raising the strength of the cabinet to 18. Seven more advisers to the chief minister have also been inducted. ... Hearing of Asif's petition adjourned KARACHI, July 12: The hearing of a criminal miscellaneous application filed by Asif Ali Zardari against an order of STA Central was put off as senior member of a division bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) ordered that the petition should be not placed before him. ... Final hearing of MQM's poll petition tomorrow KARACHI, July 12: The Sindh High Court on Monday adjourned to Wednesday final hearing of three Muttahida Qaumi Movement candidates' petition against the Election Commission's order for fresh by-polls in their constituencies. ... Shujaat asks legislators to help in polio eradication ISLAMABAD, July 12: Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on Monday urged the legislators to actively participate in the national campaign for polio eradication. ... Most selected officers wait for ministry's clearance: Postings abroad ISLAMABAD, July 12: The ministry of commerce is reluctant to give clearance to some trade officials, including a niece of former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, for postings abroad. ... Action against official assured: Manhandling of woman journalist ISLAMABAD, July 12: Federal Minister for Communications Babar Khan Ghouri on Monday assured Senate that a case would be registered against a deputy secretary of the environment ministry for allegedly abusing and thrashing a woman journalist. ... 'Pakistan keen to settle Kashmir issue through talks' PESHAWAR, July 12: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Dr Syed Ghazi Gulab Jamal has said that Pakistan wants to resolve the Kashmir dispute with India through meaningful dialogue in accordance with UN resolutions. ... Miscreants don't want peace, says ISPR chief ISLAMABAD, July 12: Inter Services Public Relations Director-General Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan has said that some miscreants in South Waziristan Agency do not want peace in the area. ... Pakistan, Russia enjoy good ties, says minister ISLAMABAD, July 12: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shaikh Rasheed Ahmed has said Pakistan and Russia enjoy good relations and pursue similar policies on major world issues. ... Pakistan, Italy stress need to enhance defence ties RAWALPINDI, July 12: The joint committee of Pakistan and Italy on defence collaboration has stressed enhanced cooperation between the two countries in the field of defence here on Monday. ... Steps being taken to implement gender equality: minister ISLAMABAD, July 12: Minister for Education Zobaida Jalal on Monday has said the government is taking every possible step to ensure gender equality in every field of life. ... China firm to set up software centre in Islamabad ISLAMABAD, July 12: Huawei Technologies, one of the largest IT and telecommunications firms in China, has decided to set up a research and software development centre in the capital which will start functioning within the next few months. ... Human resource centre to be established at AJK varsity ISLAMABAD, July 12: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Monday decided to set up International Human Resource Centre at University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, costing Rs15 million. ... Unicef to spend $1.5m on education: Four districts to benefit SWABI, July 12: The United Nations Children Fund (Unicef) will spend $1.5 million on a five-year education programme in four districts of the NWFP. Girls education will receive top priority in the programme. ... Sindh to get 4,000 cusecs extra water from Punjab: Cabinet told... KARACHI, July 12: The Sindh government on Monday decided to set up a crisis management cell to deal with the situations created in the wake of terrorist activities and emergencies, like rains and floods. ... Enforcement of prayer rules in NWFP PESHAWAR, July 12: The NWFP Chief Minister, Mr Akram Khan Durrani, on Monday told police and civil administration officials to ensure that all business and shops closed during prayer hours ... PBC seeks relaxation in SC rules for ex-judge ISLAMABAD, July 12: The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has recommended direct enrolment of former Lahore High Court (LHC) judge Fakharun Nisa as an advocate of the Supreme Court by relaxing relevant rules. ... Lawyers to resist move to rehire retired judges LAHORE, July 12: The Supreme Court and Lahore High Court bar associations say that lawyers will be constrained to launch another movement if retired judges are sent to the Supreme Court to fill four vacancies existing since Dec 31. ... Shujaat's statement on Kalabagh dam decried HYDERABAD, July 12: Reacting to a statement of Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on the Kalabagh dam during his recent Sindh visit, Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party chairman Dr Qadir Magsi on Sunday said the province would not accept construction of dams on the River Indus. ... Master plan for museum to cost Rs5 million LAHORE, July 12: The planning and development board has approved Rs5 million for the preparation of a master plan for the extension of the Lahore Museum at the site of the colonial Tollinton Market. ... Nadra to open swift centres in England ISLAMABAD, July 12: The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) is all set to open its swift registration centres in England next week to facilitate the overseas Pakistanis in getting their Computerized National Identity Cards hassle-free. ... Abolition of anti-labour laws urged KARACHI, July 12: The All Pakistan Trade Unions Organization and the Banks' Trade Union Alliance of Pakistan, have demanded of the government to put an end to all anti-labour laws ... Ban on plastic bags urged ISLAMABAD, July 12: Parliamentarians' Commission on Human Rights (PCHR) has demanded immediate ban on production and use of plastic bags in the country. ... Kashmir Martyrs Day today MIRPUR, July 12: Kashmiris living on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and rest of the world will observe the 73rd Kashmir Martyrs Day on Tuesday ...

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