01 August 2004 Sunday 14 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425 MMA supports ARD's call for fresh polls LAHORE, July 31: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal has supported the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy's demand for holding fresh general election in the country, saying the step was 'unavoidable.' ... PPP calls for monitoring of by-polls through int'l observers ISLAMABAD, July 31: The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has apprised member states of European Union and several other important countries of the "massive irregularities being carried out by the government in the by-elections" ... PML reorganization in next three months ISLAMABAD, July 31: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League has decided to convene its provincial councils in August to elect office-bearers while district office-bearers will also be appointed during the month ... JUI to woo nationalist parties for APC QUETTA, July 31: The All Parties Conference of JUI remained inconclusive due to non-participation of the opposition parties in the Balochistan Assembly. ... MMA condemns arrest of ulema HYDERABAD, July 31: Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal leader MNA Dr Sahebzada Abul Khair Mohammad Zubair has condemned the arrest of Imams and Ulema. ... Rulers accused of working for US MIRPURKHAS, July 31: Jamaat-i-Islami general-secretary Munawar Hassan has accused the rulers of working for the interests of the US. ... Anti-terrorism steps spelled out KARACHI, July 31: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad on Saturday said that the government had adopted a 'multi-pronged strategy' to curb terrorism. ... Reference against Benazir KARACHI, July 31: An accountability court in Karachi on Saturday adjourned hearing of an application challenging the framing of charges in a corruption reference against former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and others in respect of illegal recruitment in PIA. ... 'Increase in judges to speed up work' ISLAMABAD, July 31: The Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Nazim Hussain Siddiqui was of the view that the increase in the number of judges to the Supreme Court to 16 ... Soomro in Beijing for talks on vital issues BEIJING, July 31: Senate delegation, led by Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro, arrived in here on Saturday on fourth leg of its ten-day tour to China. ... 'Affiliation with foreign varsities not allowed' ISLAMABAD, July 31: No educational institution in the country is allowed to seek affiliation with a foreign university, education minister Zobaida Jalal informed the National Assembly. ... Rs131m FJWU project awaits approval ISLAMABAD, July 31: A Rs131.3 million expansion and upgradation programme of the Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) awaits approval of the government, an official source told Dawn. ... ZTBL officials asked to apprise farmers of agri package ISLAMABAD, July 31: Zarai Taraqiati Bank (ZTBL) President Istaqbal Mehdi has directed the bank's regional managers to hold field days in the vicinity of each branch of their region to apprise farmers of the agri package announced by the government recently. ... Korea urged to send team of businessmen LAHORE, July 31: Federal Industries and Production Minister Liaquat Jatoi on Saturday urged Korea to send a delegation of businessmen engaged in small and medium enterprises to Pakistan. ... Rich tribute paid to Sardar Ibrahim RAWALPINDI, July 31: Participants of a function here on Saturday paid tributes to late Sardar Ibrahim Khan, the first president of Azad Kashmir ... Islamabad favours political solution to Darfur crisis UNITED NATIONS, July 31: Pakistan on Friday welcomed the emphasis on the need for a political solution of the Darfur crisis. ... Pakistani official detained at JFK airport WASHINGTON, July 31: A senior Pakistani official was detained at the John F. Kennedy airport in New York for an entire night and was allowed to leave only after intensive efforts by the Pakistan Embassy, sources told Dawn. ... Citizens advised not to travel to Iraq ISLAMABAD, July 31: Pakistan has warned its citizens against travel to Iraq for security reasons, says a press release issued by the foreign office. ... 35 Afghan students sans papers held GUJRANWALA, July 31: Police picked up about 35 Afghan nationality students studying at a madressah here on Saturday, and took them away to an unknown place. Reports said they were studying at the Jamia Muhammadia situated on the Grand Trunk Road. ... Tribal employees' salaries stopped: Deadline for surrendering criminals passes KOHAT, July 31: The administration of the Kohat Frontier Region has stopped the salaries of class-IV employees belonging to the Zarghun Khel tribe of Darra Adam Khel after the second deadline given to the tribe for handing over 64 criminals hiding in the region passed. ... Conference on communities' sustainability planned PESHAWAR, July 31: The Department of Archaeology and Museums, NWFP, Glasgow Natural History Society and the University of Glasgow, are holding an international conference on the ecological sustainability of communities in Hindu Kush, Pakistan, from Sept 6-8. ... Rs500m plan for AIDS prevention KARACHI, July 31: A total of 199 HIV positive cases have been detected among injecting drug-users during the last 13 months. ... Postage stamp on K-2 KARACHI, July 31: The Pakistan Post Office will on Saturday issue commemorative stamps of Rs5 denomination about the golden jubilee of the first ascent of K-2, says a press release. ... Suspected rebels kill five in Kashmir SRINAGAR, July 31: Suspected Muslim rebels shot dead a Muslim couple and three former militants in Kashmir after suspecting them of being police informers, police said on Saturday. ...

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