23 November 2004 Tuesday 10 Shawwal 1425 MMA, ARD unanimous on army's exit DERA GHAZI KHAN, Nov 22: There was no harmony or understanding between the ARD and the MMA at present over the socio-political future of the country except on the issue of exclusion of military's role in the politics of the country ... Uniform is a settled issue, says minister NOWSHERA, Nov 22: The Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Aneesa Zeb, has advised the opposition not to exploit the uniform issue, saying it is a settled issue. Speaking at a Diwali function and talking to newsmen later here on Monday ... Talks offer an eyewash: MMA MULTAN, Nov 22: MMA's central leader and JI secretary-general Syed Munawwar Hasan has said the government's offer to the alliance for talks over the disputed matters is nothing but a fraud. ... Criteria of opposition leader's appointment to be defined ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: The special committee on rules of procedure for the National Assembly on Monday decided to define the qualification and criterion of appointment of the opposition leader. ... ANP likely to join ARD's campaign PESHAWAR, Nov 22: The Awami National Party (ANP) is likely to support the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) in its forthcoming anti-government movement scheduled to be launched from Peshawar on Dec 6, according to party sources. ... MMA's applications for public meetings LAHORE, Nov 22: The MMA has submitted formal applications with the authorities concerned for seeking a permission for its public meetings to be held in Multan, Lahore and Rawalpindi on Dec 5, 12 and 19, respectively. ... Muttahida accused of hindering MMA rally KARACHI, Nov 22: The Jamat-i-Islami's Naib Amir Senator Prof Ghafoor Ahmed has said that President Gen Pervez Musharraf will have to leave office of the army chief before Dec 31, 2004, according to the promise he made to the nation. ... No split in MMA, says Durrani PESHAWAR, Nov 22: The NWFP Chief Minister, Akram Khan Durrani, here on Monday said that the decision regarding his participation in the forthcoming meeting of the National Security Council would be decided by the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal's supreme council. ... Opposition criticizes speaker's ruling KARACHI, Nov 22: Opposition Leader in the Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro and other members of opposition benches on Monday lodged strong protest with the acting speaker Rahila Tiwana for adjourning the house proceeding without any reason. ... PPP hails SC verdict LAHORE, Nov 22: The Punjab PPP executive committee appreciated the Supreme Court's decision to grant bail to Asif Ali Zardari, eight years after his detention. ... Asif Zardari's release celebrated KARACHI, Nov 22: PPP leaders and activists took out a rally here on Monday to celebrate granting of bail to Asif Ali Zardari by Supreme Court in the BMW reference pertaining to tax/duty evasion. ... PPP welcomes Asif's release PESHAWAR, Nov 22: The Pakistan People's Party has welcomed the release of Asif Ali Zardari. ... PPP celebrates SC decision ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: A large number of workers, leaders and parliamentarians of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) on Monday gathered at the party central secretariat and celebrated the decision of the Supreme Court granting bail to Asif Ali Zardari in the BMW case. ... Grant of bail to Zardari celebrated HYDERABAD, Nov 22: As soon as the news of acceptance of bail plea of Asif Ali Zardari in the BMW case by the Supreme Court was telecast on television, activists of the People's Party Parliamentarians came out on roads throughout Sindh and celebrated the event on the beat of drums. ... Pakistan, India hope ties will improve NEW DELHI, Nov 22: India expects bilateral ties with Pakistan to improve from the two-day visit of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, beginning on Tuesday, an Indian foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday. ... Pakistan and Lanka pledge partnership for peace COLOMBO, Nov 22: Pakistan and Sri Lanka resolved to build on their partnership for peace and development in a Joint Press Statement issued at the conclusion of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's two-day visit to Colombo on Monday. ... Aziz for strengthening ties with Maldives MALE, Nov 22: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday sought to renew bilateral ties between Pakistan and the Maldives and stressed the need for improving economic, trade and cultural ties between the two countries. ... Decision on new dams in 'next few months': Musharraf opens Ring Road project LAHORE, Nov 22: President Gen Pervez Musharraf said on Monday that decision on new dams would be taken in the next few months after removing apprehensions of the people of Sindh and the NWFP. ... Dr Khan's meeting with foreign scientists ruled out ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: Pakistan has reiterated its stand that allowing officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or scientists of any American think tank to question or talk to Dr A.Q. Khan, held in protective custody of Pakistani security agencies, is out of question. ... Writers discuss Sino-Pakistan cooperation in literature ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: Pakistani and Chinese writers discussed proposals for enhancing bilateral cooperation through regular visits by writers, exchange of translated works and setting up language learning centres. ... Land, water resources to be developed ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: The government has decided to develop new land and water resources in the four provinces at a cost of Rs3.35 billion. ... NWFP seeks Rs45bn from centre to build dams - Poverty alleviation PESHAWAR, Nov 22: NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has called upon the centre to provide Rs45 billion to the province for the construction of 20 small dams to help his government reduce poverty. ... 28 selected for best teacher awards ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Monday announced "Best University Teachers Awards" for 2003-04 under which 28 teachers representing various public-sector universities ... Delinquent attesters escape action: CNIC applications PESHAWAR, Nov 22: The National Database Registration Authority has failed to get those persons convicted by courts who had attested fake application forms for the Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) ... Tributes paid to Arafat, Shaikh Zayed ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: Late presidents of UAE and Palestine Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan and Abu Ammar Yasser Arafat respectively were the outstanding world leaders, who had left an imprint in the hearts of Muslims. ... CPSP designation as WHO centre extended LAHORE, Nov 22: The World Health Organization's steering committee has extended the designation of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan's (CPSP) medical education department ... Donors asked to support survey: Maternal mortality rate ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: Minister for Population Welfare Chaudhry Shahbaz Hussain on Monday asked international donor agencies to support the ministry to conduct a national survey on Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR). ... 'Curricula promoting gender bias' ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: The curricula being followed in educational institutions of the country is promoting gender biases. ... Sikh pilgrims arrive in Hassanabdal TAXILA, Nov 22: Thousands of Sikh pilgrims arrived in Hassanabdal on Monday to participate in the 535th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak. ... Amity between Muslims, Christians stressed LAHORE, Nov 22: Christian and Muslim religious leaders have stressed the need for a greater religious understanding and amity between the two communities for world peace. ...

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