07 December 2004 Tuesday 24 Shawwal 1425 Musharraf still acceptable but not in uniform, says MMA LAHORE, Dec 6: The MMA is still ready to accept Gen Pervez Musharraf as constitutional president if he takes off his uniform by Dec 31, says MMA deputy secretary-general Liaquat Baloch. ... Protest planned KARACHI, Dec 6: The All-Parties Action Committee comprising the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy and several other political parties ... ARD calls for restoration of '73 constitution MARDAN, Dec 6: A meeting of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) was held here at the residence of Pakistan Muslim League-N Secretary General Saranjam Khan, which was attended by a number of political leaders. ... Hashmi opposes talks with establishment ISLAMABAD, Dec 6: The jailed acting president of the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, has called upon all political parties to unite on one platform and pledge under oath that they will not hold talks with military rulers and the establishment. ... MMA, PML face tough PPP challenge in Malakand PESHAWAR: The Malakand protected region, a part of the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas of the NWFP has all of a sudden become the focus of attention for development planners, decision-makers and mainstream political parties. ... Rumours about deal rejected PESHAWAR, Dec 6: State Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli has termed rumours about a deal between the government and the People's Party Parliamentarians mere rumours. ... PPP advocates national govt for holding polls SUKKUR, Dec 6: People's Party Parliamentarians leader Asif Ali Zardari has said the PPP will not join any national government but if President Gen Pervez Musharraf constituted such a government for conducting general elections, the party will welcome it. ... MMA asks people to join fight against excesses RAWALPINDI, Dec 6: A local leader of Muttahida Majlis-i- Amal, Maulana Abdul Jalil Naqshbandi, has praised the sacrifices being offered by Muslims in Palestine, Afghanistan, Chechniya and Iraq. ... PML-N to move motion in NA: Altaf's remarks LAHORE, Dec 6: The PML-N will move a privilege motion in the National Assembly against MQM leader Altaf Husain for his remarks against the Pakistan ideology during his recent visit to India and in his address to a public meeting in Karachi. ... MQM views on CM's visit rejected LAHORE, Dec 6: Rejecting remarks made by MQM leader Altaf Husain in his address to a public meeting in Karachi, an official of the ruling PML said here on Monday ... ANP concerned over law, order KARACHI, Dec 6: The Awami National Party (ANP) Sindh has expressed concern over the increasing incidents of lawlessness, hooliganism, looting of buses on national highways and on city roads, while deploring the role of the police for failing to provide security to citizens. ... Politicians, ulema oppose changes in curricula KARACHI, Dec 6: Various political and student leaders, MPAs, ulema and educationists at a conference on Monday unanimously resisted changes in the educational set-up of the country and announced their support to the Islami Jamiat Talaba in its campaign. ... Pervaiz, Natwar satisfied over contacts at public level LAHORE, Dec 6: Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi called on Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh in Delhi on Monday. According to a handout issued here ... Communication links between Pakistan, India stressed KARACHI, Dec 6: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan has said that exchange of delegations would help boost an environment of confidence between India and Pakistan. ... Security at US consulate beefed up KARACHI, Dec 6: Security at the US consulate and the residence of the consul-general in the city was further intensified in the aftermath of the attack on the US consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. ... Gunsmiths of Darra to attend arms fairs in Dubai, US KOHAT, Dec 6: The Defence Export Promotion Organisation has invited a number of arms manufacturers from Darra Adamkhel to take part in fairs in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Las Vegas, United States. ... ADB satisfied over projects in Sindh KARACHI, Dec 6: The Asian Development Bank has expressed overall satisfaction over the implementation of projects in Sindh; however, it showed some reservations regarding educational projects. ... Saarc states urged to conclude draft accord: Avoidance of double taxation ISLAMABAD, Dec 6: Central Board of Revenue (CBR) Chairman M. Abdullah Yousuf on Monday urged the representatives of Saarc member countries to conclude the draft agreement on avoidance of double taxation and fiscal evasion. ... Aga Khan, Crocker call on Soomro ISLAMABAD, Dec 6: Acting President Mohammedmian Soomro has appreciated the keen interest of Prince Karim Aga Khan in the socio-economic development of Pakistan. ... $14.6m Unicef fund for girls' enrolment: Primary education ISLAMABAD, Dec 6: Unicef will provide a financial assistance of $14.6 million to Pakistan during the next four years to enable it to achieve 80 per cent girls' enrolment at primary level. ... Dialogue on medical education stressed ISLAMABAD, Dec 6: Secretary Health Anwar Mehmood on Monday stressed the need for a national dialogue between public and private sectors in the field of medical and dental education. ... Senators accuse NGOs of siphoning off funds ISLAMABAD, Dec 6: Senate on Monday observed that unscrupulous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were siphoning off millions of rupees on the pretext of development and social welfare. ... KCR service to start in January ISLAMABAD Dec 6: The Karachi Circular Railways will start operating from January, 2005. A report presented to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday said it had been decided that the KCR would be operated by an independent corporation ... Govt check on private media criticized ISLAMABAD, Dec 6: Participants of a conference on Monday criticized the check on media and held the government responsible for crippling it which they said destroyed the foundation of democracy and the check and balance system in the society. ... Ministry told to follow rules: Undue payments ISLAMABAD, Dec 6: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed the ministry of defence production to follow the rules and regulations and intensify internal control in the ministry and its subordinate departments ... PU asked to work with Bangladesh varsities LAHORE, Dec 6: A Bangladesh delegation led by deputy speaker Akhtar Hameed Siddiqui has called upon the Punjab University to collaborate with Bangladeshi universities in research on problems like ecology and irrigation system of both countries. ... Arafat hailed as hero of freedom struggles KARACHI, Dec 6: Glowing tributes were paid to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in a reference organized by the Karachi Press Club on Monday. ... Census of refugees under way - Rind PESHAWAR, Dec 6: Minister of State for Frontier Region Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind said here on Monday that the government was conducting a census of Afghan refugees to obtain authentic figures of the displaced persons. ...

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