26 October 2004 Tuesday 11 Ramazan 1425 Govt failed to maintain quorum, says opposition ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: The opposition has criticized the government for its failure to maintain quorum in the National Assembly despite having what it termed an army of ministers, advisers and parliamentary secretaries. ... Opposition rejects honour killing bill ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: The opposition leaders belonging to the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) and the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) have rejected the bill on honour killing ... Assemblies to complete tenure, says Jamali ISLAMABAD Oct 25: Former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Monday said there was no danger to the system and that the assemblies would complete tenure despite opposition's movement threats. ... Govt faces crisis of confidence: PPP ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: Secretary Information of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Taj Haider has said the government's strategy to restrain its members from voting on the no-confidence motion against the National Assembly speaker ... C'wealth states to be apprised of uniform bill ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) will write letters to Commonwealth member states, informing them about the alleged violation of democratic norms being committed by the rulers. ... Judiciary not functioning independently, says Maimoona ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: Members of treasury benches did not come to defend the bill on uniform at a seminar, leaving the field open for the opposition members who opposed the legislation and crticized military's interference in politics. ... Reply sought from Aziz LAHORE, Oct 25: An election tribunal of the Lahore High Court has sought a reply from Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on a petition challenging his election as member of the National Assembly. ... MMA blackmailing govt & ARD, says Gustasap MANSEHRA, Oct 25: Leader of the Opposition in the NWFP Assembly Shahzada Mohammad Gustasap Khan has said the MMA leadership was blackmailing both the federal government and the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) to remain in power 'by hook or crook'. ... PLF plea against deportation of Shahbaz dismissed LAHORE, Oct 25: A division bench of the Lahore High Court dismissed on Monday an appeal against the deportation of PML-N chief Shahbaz Sharif on May 11 last. ... Ittefaq units' body 'spent' Rs70m in six years LAHORE, Oct 25: The three-member committee constituted by the Lahore High Court in 1998 to dispose of the assets of the Ittefaq Group of Industries four units has nearly consumed Rs70 million during the last more than six years. ... Order on doctor brothers' plea reserved KARACHI, Oct 25: An anti-terrorism court reserved on Monday order on the bail application of the doctor brothers, who have been charged with a series of offences ... Timeframe urged for inclusion of Kashmiris: Indo-Pakistan dialogue ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: The Kashmiri leadership has demanded a timeframe for inclusion of Kashmiris' representatives in the ongoing dialogue process between Pakistan and India. ... Friendship visits must not dilute Kashmir issue: Hayat MUZAFFARABAD, Oct 25: AJK Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat on Monday expressed scepticism about 'frequent' exchanges of delegations between India and Pakistan, stressing that such initiatives should not 'dilute the Kashmir issue'. ... Kashmiris not terrorists, says Mahmud LAHORE, Oct 25: Politician and federal minister Mahmud Ali has said it is wrong to term the Kashmiris' freedom struggle terrorism. He was speaking at a meeting held to remember the Pakistan Movement leaders who had died in the month of October. ... ADB to help Pakistan devise transport policy ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a technical assistance grant of $290,000 to assist the government to formulate a national transport policy. ... Brazil to help control pollution, deforestation ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: Brazil and Pakistan would explore the possibilities of working together in the fields of environment, forestry and cleaner emission technologies. ... Security for Japanese concerns tightened RAWALPINDI, Oct 25: Government has directed the law- enforcement agencies to step up security at Japanese embassy in Islamabad and other installations in the country in wake of recent Chinese hostage crisis, a security source told Dawn on Monday. ... Incorrect figures presented in NA on Pims ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: The administration of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) has put the health minister in an embarrassing situation for the second time before the elected representatives as it provided incomplete ... Five centres for senior citizens to be set up, NA told ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: Minister for Social Welfare, Zobaida Jalal Monday said a proposal was under-consideration to establish five senior citizen centres in the country to facilitate elderly persons. ... Swedish defence team due on Friday ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: A 12-member delegation of the Swedish defence commission will arrive here on a four-day visit on Friday to look at Pakistan's national security and defence policy for a long-term view. ... Malaysian help for IT city sought ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri on Monday said Pakistan and Malaysia could join hands in the information technology sector and added that Malaysian experts could help Pakistan in developing an IT city in Islamabad. ... Team in China for Silk Road talks Xian, Oct 25: Minister of State for Communication Shahid Jamil Qureshi arrived here on Monday to represent Pakistan at the third International Silk Road Conference. ... Irsa panel to review water situation ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: The advisory committee of Indus River System Authority is expected to review water availability for the Rabi season in view of improving situation in major reservoirs. ... Parcel bomb, threatening letter sent to diplomat ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: Infomation Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Monday that Saudi diplomat who had received a parcel bomb and a threatening massage would not leave the country. ... Ibad seeks laws to deal with encroachers KARACHI, Oct 25: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad on Monday reviewed the existing laws against encroachment and traffic accidents and issued orders to improve certain laws to ensure possible action against violators. ... Internship for engineering graduates planned KARACHI, Oct 25: The Sindh government is launching a skill development internship programme for unemployed fresh engineering graduates on the pattern of house-jobs provided for fresh medical graduates. ... 1,115 apply for new passports KARACHI, Oct 25: As many as 1,115 applications for new machine-readable passports (MRPs) were submitted on Monday with the five outlets of the passport office across the country. ... Jullundhar commissioner for easing visa curbs KASUR, Oct 25: The basic problem of both Pakistan and India is poverty and both the countries should show a flexibility in visa policies to boost their economies. ...

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