08 December 2004 Wednesday 25 Shawwal 1425 Musharraf not acceptable as president in any case: ARD ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: Dispelling the impression of any deal between the government and the opposition, deputy information secretary of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) Munir Ahmed Khan has said the alliance would not accept Gen Musharraf as president with or without uniform. ... PML-N seeks all-party talks for fresh polls ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz group) has asked Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to convene a roundtable conference of all political parties to discuss the formation of a caretaker set-up for general elections in the country. ... EC drive to update voters' list ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: The Election Commission of Pakistan has so far received 423,689 applications from citizens to get themselves registered as voters during the commission's current drive to update the electoral rolls. ... PM seeks performance report from ministers ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: The prime minister has directed all federal ministries and divisions to immediately submit a list of achievements made in their respective areas in the first 100 days of the government so as to launch a media campaign. ... Ties with UK to improve: Rashid ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, on Tuesday said that President General Pervez Musharraf's visit to the United Kingdom would further cement bilateral relations between the two countries. ... US praises Pakistan army WASHINGTON, Dec 7: Both the White House and the State Department have once again praised the Pakistan army for doing a tremendous job in fighting the Taliban and Al Qaeda supporters in tribal area. ... India wants progress on all issues KARACHI, Dec 7: Indian High Commissioner Shiv Shankar Menon on Tuesday said that unresolved issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, between India and Pakistan were being discussed bilaterally at the moment. ... Pervaiz calls on Manmohan Singh NEW DELHI, Dec 7: Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi called on Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh here on Tuesday. During the meeting, the Indian premier said: "We are sincere and serious in taking the ongoing peace process forward ... PM calls for more projects to electrify rural areas ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz here on Tuesday directed the Alternate Energy Development Board (AEDB) to interact with the Khushali Bank to finance small projects ... Senate report shows violation of tenant rights ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights presented its first report in the Upper House on Tuesday, recording gross violations of rights of tenants of Okara and Renala military farms. ... Soomro for efforts to save water: Farm sector needs Rs250bn lending LAHORE, Dec 7: Acting President Mohammedmian Soomro says the dispute is not over the need for new reservoirs but on sharing of water. "Once a certain comfort level among provinces is achieved, there should not be any problem," ... Cotton purchase clarification KARACHI, Dec 7: Apropos of a news item published in the Dawn issue of December 7, "TCP stops cotton purchase in Sindh", the Trading Corporation of Pakistan has said that the report is not based on facts. ... Member states to celebrate Saarc charter anniversary ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: The Saarc countries will celebrate on Wednesday the 19th anniversary of the signing of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Charter. ... Defence ties with Algeria stressed RAWALPINDI, Dec 7: Pakistan and Algeria have expressed the desire to enhance military cooperation between the two countries. ... World peace conference from 11 LAHORE, Dec 7: A large delegation will leave Pakistan on Dec 10 to participate in the three-day International Peace Conference being attended by 400 delegates from 26 countries at Kuru Khashetra in India from Dec 11. ... Pakistan to train Yemeni security personnel ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: Pakistan will train security personnel of Yemen, and a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed by the two countries next month, says Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao. ... Pak-Saudi military exercises held BAHAWALPUR, Dec 7: The Pak-Saudi joint army exercises were held for the first time in the military areas of Southern Punjab. ... Govt asked to promote free media ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: Participants of a conference here on Tuesday asked the government to promote free private media and ensure protection of journalists and access to information. ... Safety concerns stall dam, canal projects ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: The Mirani dam and Kachhi canal projects are facing considerable delays because of continued security problems at their sites. ... NA body resents award of contract: Grid station at Kamra ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly has expressed its dissatisfaction at awarding of the contract for establishment of a 132KV grid station at Kamra ... 'Alternative fuel to help protect forest cover' ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: Effective measures for poverty alleviation and provision of alternative fuel sources can help stop ongoing cutting of trees in the country. ... Meagre resources hampering setting up of schools ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: Lack of resources is hampering establishment of required number of schools, especially for girls, in rural areas, Federal Education Minister Lt-Gen (retired) Javed Ashraf Qazi said on Tuesday. ... Changes in FCR on the cards: minister PESHAWAR, Dec 7: Minister of State and Frontier Regions Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind has categorically stated that the government will not allow any foreign power to launch an operation against the Taliban ... Ulema's role in creating awareness about Aids stressed ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: Minister of State for Religious Affairs Dr Aamir Liaquat Hussain on Tuesday dragged himself into a controversy by stating that clergymen of a few seminaries were indulging in unethical activities. ... Passes for access to airport lounges RAWALPINDI, Dec 7: The government has decided to restart the issuance of protocol passes for access to lounges of national airports from next year, a Civil Aviation Authority official told this reporter on Monday. ... WB team told about LBOD debacle BADIN, Dec 7: District Nazim Kamal Khan Chang has apprised a World Bank delegation of devastations of infrastructure in the district caused by the Left Bank Out fall Drain. ... JI leaders flay US bombings KARACHI, Dec 7: The Jamaat-i-Islami here on Tuesday criticized the government for its silence over brutal US bombing on Iraqi city Faluja where mosques were being targeted. ... Over 3m drug addicts in country: ANF ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: There are 3.5 million drug addicts in Pakistan out of which 0.5 million are heroin addicts and 60,000 are injecting drug-users. ... Seven more Indian fishermen held KARACHI, Dec 7: The Maritime Security Agency (MSA) ship Nusrat apprehended seven Indian boats with 41 crew members onboard for fishing illegally in the Pakistani waters. ... Agri Business conference's recommendations LAHORE, Dec 7: The three-day Agribusiness Conference 2004 concluded here on Tuesday, recommending an array of measures ranging from increase in agriculture credit for the promotion of agri processing industry in the country. ... Pakistan urged to join Madrid Agreement ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is urging the developing countries including Pakistan to join the Madrid agreement on international registration of trade marks ... CNN's bureau office LAHORE, Dec 7: US-based TV network CNN is expanding its operation in the South Asian region by establishing its full-fledged bureau office in Islamabad. ...

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