24 July 2004 Saturday 06 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425 Benazir calls for probe into Okara farm issue ISLAMABAD, July 23: Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has expressed shock and indignation over what she called atrocities against tenants of the Okara military farms by paramilitary forces. ... 6 ministers inducted into Frontier cabinet PESHAWAR, July 23: Six new ministers were inducted into the NWFP cabinet on Friday raising its strength from 12 to 18 ministers. Also on Friday, the government announced the appointment of two advisers ... PPP's new agenda against 'oppressors' KARACHI, July 23: Secretary General of the Pakistan People's Party Mr Jehangir Badar claimed on Friday that his party was main target of the regime's state terrorism because the PPP was striving for a socio-economic change ... Govt accused of wasting Rs3m on Hasba bill promotion: Minister says cost was met by MMA PESHAWAR, July 23: The Joint Action Committee (JAC), NWFP, has accused the MMA government of spending about Rs3 million public money for a consultation on the proposed Hasba bill. ... Senior MMA leaders among 11 detained KARACHI, July 23: Deputy parliamentary leader of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal Nasarullah Shaji and city chief of the Jamaat-i-Islami Dr Merajul Huda Siddiqui were among 11 leaders and activists of MMA detained on Friday ... MMA to move Supreme Court KARACHI, July 23: The Sindh High Court's decision on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement's election petition in the petitioner's favour has generated conflicting reactions. ... EC told to declare two NA, one PS seats result: Muttahida's petition KARACHI, July 23: A division bench of the High Court of Sindh, comprising Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali and Justice Gulzar Ahmed, allowed a constitutional petition filed by three candidates of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement ... PPP men being coerced, alleges Talpur MIRPURKHAS, July 23: Pakistan People's Party has claimed that no coercive act can make its workers change their loyalties towards the party in Tharparkar where by-election is being held next month. ... Protest against Hesco HYDERABAD, July 23: Activists of the Insaan Dost Tehrik staged a demonstration outside the press club against what they called anti-consumer policies of Hesco, including frequent load- shedding, detection bills and over-charging. ... Soomro hints at plan to regulate NGOs' working ISLAMABAD, July 23: The federal government on Friday conceded before the Senate that no regulatory framework existed to monitor thousands of NGOs working in the country, especially those funded by the international donors. ... NA informed about agro plots' transfer ISLAMABAD, July 23: The record pertaining to an agricultural plot transferred in the name of President Gen Pervez Musharraf in the federal capital's rural area was placed before the National Assembly on Friday. ... PPP MNA admits rift in party over karo-kari ISLAMABAD, July 23: Chief whip of People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) MNA Syed Khursheed Shah has admitted that there are differences within the party over the issue of 'Karo-kari" (honour killing). ... Pakistan calls for political solution: Darfur crisis UNITED NATIONS, July 23: Pakistan has called for renewed efforts to find a political solution to the Darfur crisis as the United States threatened to impose UN sanctions on Sudan. ... Senate body for developing tax culture ISLAMABAD, July 23: The Senate Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Statistics has emphasized the need for launching a campaign to facilitate and educate the tax payers with a view to developing tax culture in the country. ... Condolences offered to Turkey ISLAMABAD, July 23: President Pervez Musharraf has condoled with the Turkish government and the families who lost their loved ones in a tragic train accident on Thursday. ... Muslim force for Iraq urged UNITED NATIONS, July 23: President Pervez Musharraf has proposed that the United Nations should create a multinational 'Islamic Protection Force' for safeguarding its mission in Iraq which is scheduled to go to Baghdad by mid-August, it is learnt. ... Water level at Tarbela declines ISLAMABAD, July 23: The water level at Tarbela has decreased by 3.4 feet in a day. According to sources, the water level at the dam touched 1,426.72ft on Friday against 1,430.12ft recorded on Thursday. ... Govt ignores judiciary in Haj quota policy PESHAWAR, July 23: The NWFP government has ignored the judiciary in the Haj quota policy under which 145 employees of different departments would perform Haj with expenses paid by the government. ... PIA, Thai airlines sign accord for cooperation KARACHI, July 23: PIA and Thai Airways on Friday agreed to make optimum utilization of available frequencies in the existing agreement and improve upon the economics of operation. ... Urdu flourishing in India, says Hanafi KARACHI, July 23: Dr Muzaffar Hanafi, a visiting researcher and critic from India, said that despite cultural diversity and political ups and downs, Urdu is still one of the popularly spoken languages in India. ... Oil companies asked to expand welfare network ISLAMABAD, July 23: Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Chaudhry Nouraiz Shakoor Khan has asked the oil and gas companies engaged in exploration and production activities ... Crisis looms with Afghan refugees fleeing Pakistan KABUL, July 23: Aid workers and Afghan officials are struggling to avert a looming humanitarian crisis as thousands of Afghan refugees living in Pakistan pour across the border. ...

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