04 December 2004 Saturday 21 Shawwal 1425 MMA widens scope of movement: Uniform not the only issue LAHORE, Dec 3: The MMA's movement, launched with a public meeting in Karachi a few days ago, would go on unabated till the army's unconstitutional role in governance was rolled back, a central leader of the Jamaat-i-Islami declared here on Friday. ... MMA stages demos KARACHI, Dec 3: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal in its campaign against President Pervez Musharraf's military uniform staged protest demonstrations outside various mosques after Friday prayers. ... Soomro criticized for signing dual-role bill HYDERABAD, Dec 3: Sindh National Council leader Hussain Bux Thebo has said that the signing of the dual-office bill by Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro in his capacity as acting president has made the institution controversial. ... PPP's struggle will continue, vows Asif HYDERABAD, Dec 3: Former Senator and PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari on Friday received a warm welcome here on his first visit to the interior of Sindh since his release on bail last month. ... PPP leader criticizes MMA policies PESHAWAR, Dec 3: The MMA government has failed to solve problems of the masses and it is again trying to get votes in the name of Islam in the forthcoming Malakand by-elections ... PML-N to stay away from ARD meeting ISLAMABAD, Dec 3: Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leaders on Friday decided not to participate in the first public meeting of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) to be held in Malakand on Dec 6... PML briefs envoys on political situation ISLAMABAD Dec 3: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) on Friday briefed Islamabad-based diplomats of a number of countries about the current political situation in Pakistan. ... JSM rejects Kalabagh dam SUKKUR, Dec 3: Activists of the Jeay Sindh Mahaz took out a procession and staged a sit-in here on Thursday to protest against the Kalabagh dam and influx of outsiders into the province. ... Ministers come under fire in Senate for absence ISLAMABAD, Dec 3: Acting Senate Chairman Commander (retired) Khalilur Rehman observed on Friday that the government should change its ministers if they continued to remain absent from the House. ... Pre-poll rigging: senators assured intimation to EC ISLAMABAD, Dec 3: Acting Senate Chairman Khalilur Rahman on Friday assured the protesting opposition senators that he would contact the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to take notice of the alleged use of state machinery ... OPF projects incurred Rs290m loss, Senate told ISLAMABAD, Dec 3: The Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) suffered a loss of Rs290 million on various projects as indicated by the Auditor General of Pakistan in its latest report ... NSC gives 'go-ahead' for new dam construction ISLAMABAD, Dec 3: The National Security Council (NSC) has formally authorized President Gen Pervez Musharraf to announce construction of a big dam by the end of the next month. ... Private-public partnership in social sector emphasized ISLAMABAD, Dec 3: The World Bank (WB) is interested in promoting public-private partnership for the development of social sector in Pakistan. ... Indo-Pakistan talks progressing: Menon LARKANA, Dec 3: Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Shivshankar Menon has said that talks between India and Pakistan can be held at any level to resolve the Kashmir issue. ... US praises role of Musharraf WASHINGTON, Dec 3: US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has said that the United States is fortunate to have "a courageous leader" like President Gen Pervez Musharraf as an ally in Pakistan. ... Pervaiz in Chandigarh CHANDIGARH, Dec 3: Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi spent the first night of his visit to Indian Punjab at the historic residence of Raja Patiala, known as Moti Mahal. ... Speakers stress recognition of special people's rights ISLAMABAD, Dec 3: Over 200 people on Friday took part in a walk organized in connection with the International Day for Disabled Children being celebrated around the world. ... Commercial courts bill soon: Wasi ISLAMABAD, Dec 3: Federal Law Minister Wasi Zafar said on Friday a bill for the establishment of commercial courts (FCC) in the federal as well as provincial capitals would be presented in the National Assembly soon. ... 'Discharge from Narvalley polluted Manchhar Lake' ISLAMABAD, Dec 3: The famous Manchhar Lake has been polluted due to excessive discharge of water from the main Narvalley drain into the lake, the upper house of parliament was informed here on Friday. ... Journalists urged to stand by the oppressed QUETTA, Dec 3: The leader of opposition in the Balochistan Assembly, Mr Kachkol Ali, has called upon journalists and the intelligentsia to play their role in steering the country out of the present crisis ... Feudals created hatred among people: PWP QUETTA, Dec 3: Pakistan Workers' Party (PWP) president Nasrullah Khan Kakar has held nationalists and religious parties responsible for creating hatred amongst ethnic entities of the country. ... Two militants killed in Swat PESHAWAR, Dec 3: Two militants were killed and four others wounded in a gun battle with police after robbing a bank in a remote village in Swat on Friday. ...

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