17 December 2004 Friday 04 Ziqa'ad 1425 No power-sharing with Musharraf, says PPP KARACHI, Dec 16: The Pakistan People's Party on Thursday rejected the possibility of power-sharing with Gen Pervez Musharraf, but said it would be willing to discuss an 'exit strategy' for the armed forces ... Army given 'safe exit' in 17th amendment: JI HYDERABAD, Dec 16: Jamaat-i-Islami secretary-general Syed Munawar Hassan has defended the 17th constitutional amendment, claiming that it is aimed at providing a 'safe exit' to the army with a view to restoring democracy in the country. ... Muttahida puts off all-parties moot KARACHI, Dec 16: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has postponed its all-parties conference scheduled for Dec 20, saying the next date will be announced in the next few weeks. ... PML-N MPA joins ruling party LAHORE, Dec 16: PML-N MPA Ms Rehana Jamil (PP-145) joined the ruling PML after meeting Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi here on Thursday. ... Asif moves SHC for passport KARACHI, Dec 16: Pakistan People's Party leader Asif Ali Zardari, spouse of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, moved the Sindh High Court on Thursday against the government's refusal to issue him a passport. ... Zardari has not applied for passport: Sherpao ISLAMABAD, Dec 16: Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said on Thursday Asif Ali Zardari had not yet applied for a passport. ... PPP calls for probe into threats to Zardari's life ISLAMABAD, Dec 16: The People's Party Parliamentarians has called for instituting a judicial inquiry into what it termed threats to the life of Asif Zardari. ... PPP, MMA criticize increase in fuel prices KARACHI, Dec 16: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) and Pakistan People's Party have condemned the fresh increase in the prices of petroleum products and termed it 'economic genocide'. ... Increase in prices of petroleum products criticized ISLAMABAD, Dec 16: Political parties, workers and trade bodies have condemned the government's decision to increase prices of petroleum products in the country and termed it yet another 'anti-people' act of the rulers. ... Hearing of doctors' case adjourned KARACHI, Dec 16: The Sindh High Court adjourned the hearing of a petition against the detention of 'doctor brothers' to December 21 to enable the respondents to file their comments on it. ... Rs5m reward for help in capturing militant PESHAWAR, Dec 16: The military has announced a Rs5 million reward for people who would help the army capture Abdullah Mehsud, making it clear that it was not seeking any deal with the most wanted militant in the South Waziristan ... Tribal elders demand removal of checkpoints PESHAWAR, Dec 16: Tribesmen of the Mohmand Agency have asked the NWFP governor to remove checkpoints from main roads in the tribal region instead of shifting them to the Afghan border. ... Autarky in wheat stressed ISLAMABAD, Dec 16: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has directed the ministries of water & power and food & agriculture to increase overall agricultural production, especially of wheat, by effectively and properly utilizing irrigation water. ... Good tidings on Saarc front ISLAMABAD: There are clear indications that the seven-nation South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) 'talk- shop' is finally getting down to some serious business. ... 'WTO to open window of opportunities' LAHORE, Dec 16: Punjab government's adviser on World Trade Organization Inamul Haq said on Thursday the post-WTO regime would open up a window of opportunities for Pakistan. ... WFP to give $51.6m aid for girls education ISLAMABAD, Dec 16: Federal Minister for Education and former director-general of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Javed Ashraf Qazi on Wednesday said the UN World Food Programme (WFP) would provide $51.6 million assistance ... Bangladeshi scientists offer help in studies on population KARACHI, Dec 16: Bangladeshi population scientists have expressed interest in undertaking research projects and studies on population in collaboration with their Pakistani counterparts. ... First Haj flight leaves for Saudi Arabia RAWALPINDI, Dec 16: The first Haj flight carrying 267 passengersleft for Saudi Arabia on Thursday, marking the beginning of this year's Haj operation. ... Confirmed return tickets promised: Umra pilgrims LAHORE, Dec 16: PIA chairman Chaudhry Ahmad Saeed has said from now intending Umra pilgrims will be issued confirmed return tickets to save them from any hassle in Jeddah. ... Ponam's protest today QUETTA, Dec 16: The Ponam students' alliance has announced to launch a protest movement against the arrests of students and activists of nationalist political parties and to observe Friday as a black day in Balochistan. ... Pakistani jailed SYDNEY, Dec 16: A Pakistani who smuggled two boatloads of asylum seekers to Australia was on Thursday sentenced to 12 years in jail by a court in Perth. ... Indo-Pakistan CBMs to help resolve all issues: minister TAXILA, Dec 16: Federal Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli has said that confidence-building measures will play a significant role in the resolution of all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan. ... Holistic approach to population issues urged: Population moot concludes KARACHI, Dec 16: The three-day population research conference, which ended on Saturday, urged bridging of gaps between policy, research and action for the timely implementation of population and development programmes. ... Rs8.4bn to be spent on farm development PESHAWAR, Dec 16: The federal government will provide Rs8.4 billion for improving the agriculture sector and management of irrigation water resources in the NWFP. ... Experts laud Muslim states' family planning systems KARACHI, Dec 16: Speakers at a seminar on Thursday stressed on spreading awareness regarding population planning, and on strengthening of the services being provided to check the population growth in the country ... Indian literary team due today KARACHI, Dec 16: A 32-member delegation of Indian-Sindhi literary figures is arriving here from Delhi on a 10-day visit of the country on Friday. ...

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