26 July 2004 Monday 08 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425 PML issues 'fact sheet' about Benazir, Asif ISLAMABAD, July 25: The Pakistan Muslim League on Sunday released a 'fact sheet' about the alleged corruption of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto and her husband Asif Ali Zardari and said that any effort to mislead the nation would not work. ... 'PPP chairperson to return by year-end' QUETTA, July 25: Benazir Bhutto will return to Pakistan before the end of this year and she expects a political change to occur in the country soon, says PPP Balochistan's acting president Nawabzada Haji Mir Lashkari. ... ARD doubts Aziz's ability to deliver ATTOCK, July 25: The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) chief co-ordinator, Malik Hakmeen Khan and PML-N leader Sheikh Aftab Ahmed have cast doubts on the abilities of Shaukat Aziz in running the affairs of the country smoothly. ... Aziz promises to develop Tharparkar MITHI, July 25: Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz has said the government is determined to make Pakistan a progressive and welfare state and improve living standard of the downtrodden masses. ... MMA govt not to set up department for women PESHAWAR, July 25: The Mutahidda Majlis-i-Amal government in NWFP is contemplating a proposal to establish a separate Zakat and Usher Department instead of establishing an independent Women Development Department. ... MMA to resist any change in Islamic laws KARACHI, July 25: The president of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, Sindh, MNA Maulana Asadullah Bhutto said that the MMA would not allow anyone to change Hudood Ordinance and blasphemy laws, as any such change would be against Quran and Sunnah. ... Assembly set to witness acrimonious scenes: Oath to MQM member KARACHI, July 25: The Sindh Assembly is set to witness yet another round of uproarious scenes when it goes into a hurriedly called session at 9:30am on Monday. ... Minorities oppose Hasba bill PESHAWAR, July 25: The All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) on Sunday asked the federal government to stop the provincial government from enacting the proposed Hasba Act as it amounted to creation of a parallel judicial system and a state within the state. ... PML-N opposes troops for Iraq ISLAMABAD, July 25: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz parliamentary leader in Senate, Ishaq Dar, has said that sending of Pakistani troops to Iraq is aimed at organizing "massacre of the Muslims through hands of the Muslims". ... Ponam calls for Sindh's control over its affairs HYDERABAD, July 25: The Pakistan Oppressed Nations' Movement, Sindh, at a meeting held here on Saturday decided to prepare a strong Sindh case to present it at the central conference of Ponam in Islamabad on Aug 16. ... Rashid leaves for China ISLAMABAD, July 25: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, heading a 12-member media delegation, left here for Beijing on Sunday night. ... Rockets fired at paramilitary post in Wana WANA, July 25: After a four-day lull, militants again targeted paramilitary headquarters and a local helipad in the troubled South Waziristan tribal region early on Sunday. ... Report on suspect's surrender denied JEDDAH, July 25: The Saudi government has denied a news report that an Al Qaeda suspect offered to surrender himself through its consulate in Karachi. ... IMF calls for stricter financial framework WASHINGTON, July 25: The International Monetary Fund has urged Pakistan to "complete and implement comprehensive legal and institutional framework for anti-money laundering and combating financing of terrorism currently under preparation prior to the APG assessment." ... KRL men told to keep quiet ISLAMABAD, July 25: Three senior officials of the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), who were released on Saturday, are reported to have been asked by the authorities to remain quiet about their 'debriefing' sessions and not to disclose any information about their departments. ... Provident fund profit rate cut ISLAMABAD, July 25: The federal government has reduced the rate of profit on deposits and balances of the provident fund from 14.50 per cent to 13.50 per cent with retrospect effect from July 1, 2003, it is learnt. ... HBFC to advance loans in all villages LAHORE, July 25: In compliance with a directive of Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, the House Building Finance Corporation has issued a notification for grant of Rs100,000 loans in all the villages. ... Post offices to pay increased pension RAWALPINDI, July 25: Pakistan Post has empowered all the post offices to calculate the increase in the pensions of the ex- servicemen and make payment to them as has been announced by the government. ... Italian minister arrives to attend K-2 celebrations ISLAMABAD, July 25: Minister for Agriculture and Forestry of Italy, Giovanni Almanno, arrived here on Sunday to participate in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of K-2 and 51st anniversary of the first ascent of Nanga Parbat. ... Family appeals for release of hostages MUZAFFARABAD, July 25: The family of one of the two Pakistanis believed to have been kidnapped in Iraq on Sunday appealed to their captors to release their hostages in the name of Islam and humanity. ...

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