19 September 2004 Sunday 03 Shaban 1425 Opposition criticize PM for backing Musharraf ISLAMABAD, Sept 18: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz kept his cool when the Senate opposition on Saturday accused him of supporting President General Musharraf's bid to retain the post of Chief of the Army Staff beyond December 31. ... Resolution on uniform pointless: Khuhro KARACHI, Sept 18: The leader of opposition in the Sindh Assembly, Nisar Khuhro, has maintained that since provincial assemblies can neither amend the constitution nor reflect on the conduct of the president, governor or the judiciary ... Opponents laud Bhutto's services for nation ISLAMABAD, Sept 18: Politicians and parliamentarians belonging to the People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP), the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) here on Saturday ... National Democratic Front launched ISLAMABAD, Sept 18: As many as 12 politicians, including some veteran figures, here on Saturday launched a new political front with a view to striving for the revival of the 1973 Constitution in its original form. ... Change in definition of opposition leader sought ISLAMABAD, Sept 18: Members of Democratic Alliance in the Senate have submitted an amendment to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate seeking change in the definition of the opposition leader. ... Voters with old NICs allowed registration ISLAMABAD, Sept 18: Chief Election Commissioner Irshad Hasan Khan on Saturday allowed the use of old national identity cards for registration of voters for the local government elections. ... Court turns down plea for Hashmi's appearance LAHORE, Sept 18: An accountability court on Saturday turned down a request for ensuring presence of ARD president Makhdoom Javed Hashmi throughout the course of trial. ... Rumpus mars brief Sindh PA session KARACHI, Sept 18: A pandemonium caused by acrimonious verbal exchanges between the Speaker, Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, and an opposition member led to the adjournment of the Sindh Assembly session less than 45 minutes after its commencement on Saturday. ... Speaker justifies warning to opposition KARACHI, Sept 18: Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, criticizing attitude of a member during the ongoing session, said on Saturday that being the speaker and custodian of the house, it was his responsibility to safeguard the prestige and traditions of the house. ... PPP denies deal with govt HYDERABAD, Sept 18: The president of the People's Party Parliamentarians, Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, has said that general elections will certainly be held the next year. ... PHC Bar committee leaves for Waziristan: Civilian casualties, violation of fundamental rights PESHAWAR, Sept 18: A three-member facts finding committee of the Peshawar High Court Bar Association left for South Waziristan Agency on Saturday ... MMA urges govt to exercise restraint: Military action in Wana HYDERABAD, Sept 18: Deputy parliamentary leader of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal in National Assembly Hafiz Hussain Ahmed has warned the government of serious consequences if the MMA gives a protest call to the tribal people in Waziristan. ... PPP leader deplores operation in Balochistan MIRPURKHAS, Sept 18: Member of the Pakistan People's Party, Nawab Mohammad Yousuf Talpur has condemned the operation in Wana and Balochistan and demanded its immediate halt. ... 'Operation in tribal areas be stopped' PESHAWAR, Sept 18: Speakers at a forum here have demanded an end to the ongoing military operation in South Waziristan and urged the federal government to resolve the issue by holding talks with local people. ... MMA's Quetta meeting vital RAHIM YAR KHAN, Sept 18: Gen Pervez Musharraf will not need to take vote of confidence from the National Assembly for his tenure as president if he takes off his uniform in time. ... PPP warns govt over dam projects KARACHI, Sept 18: The Sindh Council of the Pakistan Peoples Party on Saturday deliberated on matters pertaining to another by-elections in NA-229, the seat which Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz gave up after a landslide victory there. ... Altaf's appeal to president, PM KARACHI, Sept 18: MQM chief Altaf Hussain has asked the president and the prime minister to take immediate notice of conspiracies being hatched against the Muttahida. ... Musharraf-Manmohan summit on 24th ISLAMABAD, Sept 18: President Gen Pervez Musharraf will hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Sept 24 on the sidelines of the 59th UN General Assembly session in New York, Dawn learnt through reliable diplomatic sources on Saturday. ... Flexibility on Kashmir issue urged: India must fulfil promise: APHC ISLAMABAD, Sep 18: Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan said on Saturday that Pakistan and India should demonstrate flexibility and sincerity to resolve the Kashmir issue for durable peace in the region. ... Lack of fish, date processing facilities decried ISLAMABAD, Sept 18: Senators from Balochistan on Friday criticized the government for not making arrangements for processing and packing of fish products and dates in the province. ... Pemra soon to issue 12 TV licences ISLAMABAD, Sept 18: The government will soon award 12 new TV channel licences, says General Manager (enforcement) Pakistan Electronic Media and Regulatory Authority Col (retd) Mansoor Rasheed. ... AJK Council passes Rs2.7bn budget ISLAMABAD, Sept 18: The 35th session of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council on Saturday passed the budget of the Council for the year 2004-2005 for Rs2712.8 million and the revised estimates of Rs2336.99m for the year 2003-2004. ... Dam on Nai Gaj will be built, says minister DADU, Sept 18: Federal Water and Power Minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi has said a dam on the Nai Gaj Nala will be constructed to irrigate land in the western belt of the district. ... Indictment of Jundullah men deferred KARACHI, Sept 18: Indictment of 10 Jundullah activists in the corps commander's convoy attack case was further deferred on Saturday by an anti-terrorism court as one of the defence counsel withdrew his powers to defend the accused. ... Ramazan relief package okayed ISLAMABAD, Sept 18: Minister for Industries and Production Jehangir Khan Tareen has approved 'Ramazan relief package' to stabilize prices of different commodities and provide relief to the masses during the holy month. ... 'Poverty, low literacy hampering AIDS prevention effort' ISLAMABAD, Sept 18: A high percentage of youth, large internal migration, poverty, gender inequalities, low literacy and low spending on health and education by the government are some of the challenges Pakistan is confronted with to prevent HIV/AIDS from spreading. ...

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