17 November 2004 Wednesday 04 Shawwal 1425 Musharraf bound to shed uniform by Dec 31: MMA KARACHI, Nov 16: MMA leaders at a press conference here on Tuesday stressed that Gen Pervez Musharraf was under the constitutional obligation to doff his uniform on Dec 31 this year and he must do so to fulfil his commitment. ... JI accuses Musharraf of violating agreement: Uniform issue HYDERABAD, Nov 16: Jamaat-i-Islami deputy chief Prof Ghafoor Ahmed has said that President Gen Pervez Musharraf has agreed to shed his uniform by the end of this year. ... MMA threatens to stage long march SUKKUR, Nov 16: 'Huge public meetings will soon be held in Karachi, Multan, Lahore and Rawalpindi in protest against President Gen Pervez Musharraf's backing out on his promise of shedding the uniform by Dec 31.' ... Release of 'political prisoners' demanded ISLAMABAD, Nov 16: People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) Secretary-General Raja Pervez Ashraf has lauded all 'political prisoners' for their struggle for the cause of genuine and true democracy in the country. ... 'US, India plan to occupy tribal area' PESHAWAR, Nov 16: Chief of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal Qazi Hussain Ahmad on Tuesday stated that the US and India had chalked out a secret plan of occupying the North Western areas of Pakistan including Waziristan in the so-called war on terrorism. ... Altaf's India visit to help boost ties, says Farooq KARACHI, Nov 16: Parliamentary leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in the National Assembly Dr Farooq Sattar has said that his party is striving for peace, brotherhood and prosperity not only in the country but in the whole region. ... PMAP demands help to drought victims QUETTA, Nov 16: The Pakthunkhwa Milli Awami Party held protest meetings in different parts of the province on Tuesday against non-provision of funds to the people hit by drought. ... 'Terrorism to be eliminated' PESHAWAR, Nov 16: Corps Commander Lt-Gen Safdar Hussain has reiterated government's resolve to root out terrorism, saying that the military offensive will continue till all terrorists are flushed out from tribal areas. ... Pakistan to insist on more access to US, EU markets: President's visit early next month KARACHI, Nov 16: Seeking greater access for Pakistan's goods to the US and European markets, President Pervez Musharaf likely to hold meetings with his American counterpart George Bush ... Musharraf wants end to water crisis RAWALPINDI, Nov 16: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has directed the authorities concerned to use water resources properly, avoid water crisis in future and to build new water reservoirs so that water and energy needs of the country could be fulfilled. ... Living standard of masses to be improved, says Aziz ISLAMABAD, Nov 16: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Monday the government was making sincere efforts to improve the living standard of the masses. ... Benazir observes ninth Eid in exile ISLAMABAD, Nov 16: Pakistan People's Party Chairperson Benazir Bhutto celebrated Eidul Fitr with solemnity in the United Arab Emirates. ... Technology from China being acquired: Production of rabies vaccine ISLAMABAD, Nov 16: The National Institute of Health (NIH) has initiated a process of acquiring cell culture rabies vaccine- manufacture technology from China. ... Govt urged to devise appropriate plan: Acute respiratory problems ISLAMABAD, Nov 16: Different studies on health issues have suggested the government to develop appropriate health strategies to cope with the increasing risk of acute respiratory problems in Pakistan. ... Remains of DPs to be taken to Afghanistan PESHAWAR, Nov 16: When he will finally leave Pakistan after two decades, Rahman Gul, an Afghan refugee, will do one last thing for his dead brother; he will take his remains to his homeland for a reburial. ... Kashmiris urged to mark Singh's visit by strike MUZAFFARABAD, Nov 16: An alliance of jihadi groups on Wednesday urged Kashmiris to 'welcome' Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh by staging a "crippling strike" during his visit to the region. ... Proposed trans-Kashmir bus lends hopes for many URI, Nov 16: India and Pakistan have yet to give the go-ahead for a bus linking the two zones of divided Kashmir but already residents of this town near the line of Control (LoC) border are preparing for the expected boom the service would bring. ... 20 Kashmiri newsmen to visit Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Nov 16: A group of about 20 journalists from Jammu and Kashmir will visit Azad Jammu and Kashmir, for nearly a week, from Nov 23, as part of Pakistan government's policy to promote contacts ... 3,000 Sikh pilgrims to visit Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Nov 16: At least 3,000 Sikh pilgrims will visit Pakistan to observe the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak between Nov 21 and Nov 30. ... Powell to pay farewell visit to Pakistan WASHINGTON, Nov 16: Pakistan is one of the countries that the outgoing US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, is likely to visit before he steps down, US sources told Dawn. ...

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