25 November 2004 Thursday 12 Shawwal 1425 No mid-term polls, says Sherpao ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao on Wednesday ruled out the possibility of any political change and mid-term elections in the country. ... No deal in Zardari case, says NAB chief LAHORE, Nov 24: National Accountability Bureau chairman Lt-Gen Munir Hafiez said on Wednesday PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari's release was neither an outcome of any deal nor was any inquiry pending against him. ... Nawaz greets Benazir ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday called Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Benazir Bhutto from Jeddah and greeted her on the release of her spouse Asif Ali Zardari, a statement issued by PPP media cell here today said. ... Bugti has doubts about MMA's commitment QUETTA, Nov 24: Jamhoori Watan Party chief Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti said on Wednesday that the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy was sincere about launching a movement against the government but the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal was playing games. ... Dr Arbab's remarks stir walkout by opposition KARACHI, Nov 24: The opposition in the Sindh Assembly staged a walkout on Wednesday to express its indignation over chief minister's remarks about Asif Zardari's security following the latter's release ... Tariq Rahim meets Asif KARACHI, Nov 24: Former Punjab governor Khwaja Tariq Rahim called on Asif Ali Zardari at Bilawal House on Wednesday and exchanged views with him for quite some time, sources said. ... Steps against provocative speeches discussed KARACHI, Nov 24: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Wednesday presided over a meeting at the chief minister house to review law and order and matters relating to the National Security Council meeting in Islamabad. ... CM, Bhatti brothers 'end' differences HAFIZABAD, Nov 24: Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Bhatti brothers ironed out their differences during a meeting at the CM Secretariat, Lahore on Tuesday evening. ... Clarification ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: Federal Ministry of Housing and Works on Wednesday, while clarifying its position regarding the eviction of the family of Ahmad Faraz from a government house by the estate office ... Conference on combating corruption from today LAHORE, Nov 24: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz is expected to inaugurate the three-day international conference on combating corruption in South Asia starting here on Thursday. ... Trade with Sweden to be 'increased' LAHORE, Nov 24: Punjab Investment, Commerce and Industries Minister Muhammad Ajmal Cheema has said that Pak-Swedish trade volume would be increased to US$500 million increasing cooperation in information technology ... Summit was a turning point: BD minister ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: Visiting Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Morshed Khan said on Wednesday that the Islamabad summit had proved to be a turning point and a milestone in the history of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. ... Free, fair elections 'vital' for democracy LAHORE, Nov 24: Former Bangladesh foreign minister Dr Kamal Hossain believes that empowering people through empowered legislatures is the main ingredient of any successful democracy. ... Safma proposes direct communication links ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: Journalists from India and Pakistan on Wednesday proposed their direct communication links for reporting and verifying happenings on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) to encounter government-sponsored propaganda. ... Record fund utilization since 1972, says minister KARACHI, Nov 24: Sindh has not only made a record allocation of Rs11 billion for the fiscal 2003-04, but also achieved a record utilization of 94.1 per cent that has never made since 1972. ... EC to back e-governance initiatives in Punjab ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: The European Commission has approved a project to support E-governance in the Punjab under its Asia Information Technology and Communications programme in Pakistan ... Minister for construction of tourism house ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: Minister of State for Tourism Sumera Malik has said preparation of PC-1 of construction of Lahore-Delhi bus service terminal at Lahore and tourism house should be started soon. ... Gender bias in curricula to be removed: Qazi ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: The education ministry is taking every possible measure to bring the curricula on a par with the international standards, focussing on skill development of the students, Federal Education Minister Javed Ashraf Qazi said. ... Reversal of CBR's decision demanded PESHAWAR, Nov 24: Officers of the customs and excise group have sought intervention of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz for reversal of recent decision of the Central Board of Revenue ... Portfolios allotted to Azad Kashmir ministers MUZAFFARABAD, Nov 24: AJK Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat on Wednesday allotted portfolios to 19 members of his cabinet. ... Meeting to discuss ways to avoid load shedding ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: The federal government has convened an emergency meeting here on Thursday to devise a plan to overcome a looming daily power shortage of 500 megawatts over the next two months. ... New system at Torkham to curb terrorism PESHAWAR, Nov 24: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has installed a 'personal identification secured comparison and evaluation system' (Pisces) at the Torkham border to curb incidents of terrorism. ... Umrah flight fiasco: PIA apologizes KARACHI, Nov 24: The chairman of the Pakistan International Airlines has apologized for the inconvenience recently suffered by Umrah passengers in Jeddah, Makkah and Madina. ... Measures to prevent HIV/Aids reviewed ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: Minister of State for Health Begum Shahnaz Sheikh on Wednesday said the government would formulate a strategy for prevention and control of HIV/Aids to protect the people from the killer disease. ...

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