21 October 2004 Thursday 06 Ramazan 1425 Benazir for political pluralism, tolerance ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has called for commitment to political pluralism, tolerance and peaceful change through democracy but also affirmed her resolve to continue the fight against terrorism, dictatorship and bigotry. ... Opposition to resist bill on uniform KARACHI, Oct 20: The Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians and other democratic opposition parties in the Senate would put up a stiff resistance to the bill envisaging retention of the post of COAS and Presidency by Gen Musharraf. ... Balochistan issue discussed at Islamabad meeting ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: The federal government was determined to seek a resolution of all issues faced by Balochistan province in a spirit of consultation, consensus and conciliation. ... Govt refuses to accept US help: Madressah reforms ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: The government has refused to accept financial and technical assistance offered by the US for mainstreaming of Madressahs, official sources told Dawn on Wednesday. ... 13 Muslim states agree to consider proposal: Adjustment of Zakat against taxes ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: Thirteen Islamic countries, including Pakistan, have agreed to consider a proposal for allowing adjustment of Zakat payment against taxes in Islamic countries where both Zakat and taxes are collected. ... Soomro urges action to prevent terrorists from acquiring WMD NEW YORK, Oct 20: Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro on Tuesday urged the UN General Assembly to evolve a blueprint to prevent non-state actors and terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction. ... Pakistan urged to sign all rights treaties ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: The participants of a consultative seminar here on Wednesday demanded that Pakistan immediately sign and ratify all major human rights treaties including the Rome Statute under which the International Criminal Court (ICC) was set up. ... High court takes notice of delay in govt response KARACHI, Oct 20: The Sindh High Court on Wednesday took a serious view of frequent delays in government response to petitions agitating illegal arrest and detention. ... Plea against Shariat council dismissed: Non-appearance of petitioner irks PHC PESHAWAR, Oct 20: The Peshawar High Court on Wednesday dismissed a writ petition, on account of non-appearance of the petitioner, challenging the establishment of the Nifaz-i-Shariat Council by the NWFP. ... SC sets aside LHC judgment ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Federal Public Service Commission to allow Muqaddas Haider to join as assistant superintendent of police (ASP) in place of Farrukh Rashid under the quota system. ... Pakistanis asked to avoid Iraq travel ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: Pakistan warned its nationals on Wednesday against travelling to Iraq due to volatile situation there, saying anyone going there would be doing so at their own risk. ... Go-ahead for Baloch Constabulary ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: The federal government has given an anticipatory approval for raising the Balochistan Constabulary force, for which Rs100 million will be disbursed during 2004-05. ... Multan police track down car blast 'mastermind' MULTAN, Oct 20: Police claimed on Wednesday to have arrested what they labelled the central character behind the Multan blast that claimed 41 lives on Oct 7 last. ... Provinces told to ensure withdrawal of drugs ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: The federal health ministry has directed the provincial governments to ensure complete withdrawal of recently-banned medicines containing 'Rofecoxib' from the market. ... Joint HEC-BC education link project launched ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: British Council and Higher Education Commission have joined hands to establish links between universities of the United Kingdom and Pakistan to enhance research activities and skills of faculty. ... Working group formed to review curriculum ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: The education ministry has set up a working group to review school level curriculum in the country to ensure it is error-free. ... Result of test for PhD scholarship ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced the test results of "Overseas Scholarship Scheme for PhD in selected fields", an official statement said here on Tuesday. ... 1,972 HIV, 231 AIDS cases reported KARACHI, Oct 20: According to the most recent HIV estimates, provided by the National AIDS Control Programme - Pakistan, a total number of 1,972 HIV and 231 AIDS cases had been reported to the government. ...

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