25 July 2004 Sunday 07 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425 Support to ARD vital for democracy: JI QUETTA, July 24: Jamaat-i-Islami's secretary-general Munawwar Hasan has said that the MMA's unconditional support to ARD candidates in by-polls against the PML nominee would pave the way for the one-point agenda of uniting the combined opposition parties to struggle for parliament's supremacy and democracy. ... No deal with govt, says PPP leader KOHAT, July 24: The provincial president of Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians, Rahim Dad Khan, has categorically said that his party will not enter into any kind of deal with the government and instead continue struggle against injustice, corruption and for the supremacy of the constitution. ... No one can expel me from party, says Hoti PESHAWAR, July 24: The former provincial chief of the PPP, Khwaja Mohammad Khan Hoti, has said that nobody has the authority to expel him from the party. ... MMA govt defends expansion in cabinet PESHAWAR, July 24: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, NWFP, criticised on Saturday those opposing expansion in the provincial cabinet which was, despite induction of six more ministers, smaller than the cabinets of other provinces. ... PML-N to hold protest day today HARIPUR, July 24: The PML-N central command and leaders belonging to provincial cadres are scheduled to arrive here on Sunday where they, according to party sources, would address a public meeting the same evening. ... Aziz's claim attempt to deceive people: Dar ISLAMABAD, July 24: Parliamentary leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in the Senate Mohammad Ishaq Dar has ridiculed Shaukat Aziz's claim of eliminating poverty and unemployment in six months, and termed it an attempt to deceive the people. ... Opposition not being targeted: NAB KARACHI, July 24: Chief of the National Accountability Bureau Lt-Gen Muneer Hafeez has said that the NAB is performing its functions independently without any political pressure and its working at all stages is transparent. ... Reference against Faisal adjourned LAHORE, July 24: The hearing in a wilful default reference against Interior Minister Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat and others was adjourned untill July 31 by an accountability court as the judge was on leave on Saturday. ... SJC moved to remove LHC chief justice ISLAMABAD, July 24: A petition filed before the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has demanded initiation of proceedings to remove Justice Chaudhry Iftikhar Hussain as Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC) under Article 209 of the Constitution. ... Altaf hails court verdict KARACHI, July 24: Muttahida Qaumi Movement founder Altaf Hussain has termed the Sindh High Court's verdict on his party's petition against the Election Commission's orders as a victory of truth. ... Two witnesses record statements in blast case KARACHI, July 24: An Anti-Terrorism Court in Karachi on Saturday adjourned the hearing of trial against nine activists of banned Harkatul Mujahideen Al-Alami for their alleged involvement in the Macedonian consulate bomb blast ... Ban lifted on Madressahs' registration, rules relaxed PESHAWAR, July 24: The federal government has lifted the ban on the registration of madressahs and restored the previous procedure to recognize the seminaries under Societies Act of 1860. ... Opposition to water projects reiterated BADIN, July 24: Leaders of the Anti-Greater Thal Canal Action Committee have reiterated their opposition to construction of Thal canal and Kalabagh dam projects. ... Expatriates urged to obtain ID cards LONDON, July 24: Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat the other day urged expatriates to get the national identity cards for overseas Pakistanis. ... Karzai hails Islamabad's anti-terror efforts ISLAMABAD, July 24: Afghan President Hamid Karzai has praised Pakistan's efforts for eliminating terrorism from the region. ... Balochistan assured of help in securing ADB loan QUETTA, July 24: Islamabad will help Balochistan in obtaining soft-term loan from the Asian Development Bank, says Federal Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz. ... NA dy speaker for closer ties with Thailand ISLAMABAD, July 24: A ten-member delegation from Thailand headed by Burhanuddin Useng called on deputy speaker National Assembly Sardar Mohammad Yaqub at the Parliament House on Saturday. ... 'No rules violated in purchase of land' ISLAMABAD, July 24: Major-Gen Shaukat Sultan, press secretary to President Pervez Musharraf, referring to a news item appearing in a section of the press regarding purchase of agricultural plot in Islamabad by the president has said the piece of agricultural land ... Project launched to strengthen English teaching ISLAMABAD, July 24: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has launched a major project, 'English Language Teaching Reforms' to strengthen English language teaching skills. ... Rs3bn environmental projects okayed ISLAMABAD, July 24: The federal environment ministry on Monday approved 35 environmental projects that would be executed over the next five years at a cost of Rs3.6 billion. ... Seven working day service at British HC from tomorrow ISLAMABAD, July 24: The British High Commission, Islamabad, plans to introduce a seven working day service from Monday. ... Saudi team discusses common issues KARACHI, July 24: The visiting six-member Saudi media delegation rejected Western allegation that "Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were involved in terrorism," and said, rather, the two countries were actively combating the menace. ... Five accords signed with Chinese universities BEIJING, July 24: Pakistan on Saturday signed five separate cooperation agreements with some leading Chinese Universities for higher education. ... 4 tribesmen killed in exchange of fire KHAAR (Bajaur Agency), July 24: Four people were killed and four others received injuries in an exchange of fire between the Salarzai tribesmen living on both sides of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border here on Friday evening. ... Moot stresses teachers' training for education KARACHI, July 24: Speakers at an educational conference on Saturday placed emphasis on methodical and rigorous training of teachers for a qualitative change in education. ... 'Fata refugee camps to be shut down by Sept 1' PESHAWAR, July 24: Repatriation of Afghan refugees from Fata especially from South and North Waziristan agencies would be completed on a priority basis and a committee would be constituted to protect economic interests ... President to be briefed on wage award ISLAMABAD, July 24: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is preparing to give detailed briefing to President Pervez Musharraf on the implementation of the 7th Wage Board Award for newspaper employees. ... APNS terms ban on govt ads coercive KARACHI, July 24: The All-Pakistan Newspapers Society in a statement by its action committee has again deplored "coercive actions of the government against the press ...

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