23 December 2004 Thursday 10 Ziqa'ad 1425 Asif's arrest a legal matter, says minister ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao said the arrest of Asif Ali Zardari was a legal matter, and the government had nothing to do with it. ... Asif says PPP to avoid confrontation KARACHI, Dec 22: Accusing the hidden forces of obstructing his Punjab visit, Pakistan People's Party leader Asif Ali Khan Zardari on Wednesday emphasized that despite such a provocation, the PPP would not opt for a policy of confrontation ... PPP urges conducive atmosphere LAHORE, Dec 22: People's Party Parliamentarians chief Makhdoom Amin Fahim says reconciliation with the government will not be possible unless it creates a 'conducive' atmosphere for the purpose. ... Crackdown on PPP activists: reconciliation hopes diminishing ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: Hopes for political reconciliation in the country seem to have received a setback, if not completely dashed, in the wake of Tuesday's crackdown on Pakistan People's Party activists ... PPP's protest, celebration: Zardari's arrest and release LAHORE, Dec 22: The PPP on Wednesday protested at the re-arrest of Asif Ali Zardari and simultaneously celebrated his release under the Sindh High Court orders, distributing sweets among party leaders and workers. ... PPP's protest turns into festivity: Release of Zardari HYDERABAD, Dec 22: A black day being observed by the People's Party Parliamentarians in the interior of Sindh against the arrest of Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday turned into a celebration following his release by the Sindh High Court. ... PPP demands end to cases PESHAWAR, Dec 22: The Pakistan People's Party has asked the government to facilitate early return of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto and withdraw all cases registered against Asif Ali Zardari. ... Govt reply in Asif's security case KARACHI, Dec 22: The provincial government has not allowed any person to employ armed personal guards or travel in vehicles with tinted glasses, the Sindh High Court was informed on Wednesday. ... PPP submits 2 resolutions in Senate ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) Senator Farhatullah Babar has submitted two resolutions in the Senate seeking to enlarge the scope of the law on declaration of assets and broaden the base of human rights. ... Motions against three policemen filed in NA ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: The People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) members on Wednesday submitted three separate privilege motions to the National Assembly against four police officers for "misbehaving" with them at the Islamabad airport. ... 52 PPP workers sent to Adiala Jail RAWALPINDI, Dec 22: Around 52 workers and supporters of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), arrested from outside the Islamabad airport on Tuesday, were sent to the Adiala Jail by the court of Civil Judge Ijaz Ahmed Gondal here on Wednesday. ... 12 more PPP men get pre-arrest bail MULTAN, Dec 22: A local court on Wednesday granted pre-arrest bail to 12 more PPP leaders and workers in the cases registered against them for violation of section 144 CrPC. ... Senate committee's meeting on NAB cancelled ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: A meeting of the Senate standing committee on privileges was cancelled on Wednesday at the last moment, averting a possible accountability of National Accountability Bureau Chairman Lt-Gen Munir Hafiez ... Pervaiz Elahi slams PPP LAHORE, Dec 22: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi on Wednesday took exception to what he said an attempt to give a political colour to the arrest of Asif Ali Zardari and said the government would not spare any violator of the law. ... PML-N vows to fight for democracy LAHORE, Dec 22: The PML-N leaders said here on Wednesday that they would go ahead with their struggle for democracy, irrespective of the sacrifices they may have to render for the purpose. ... PML-N will celebrate anniversary in NWFP PESHAWAR, Dec 22: The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) will celebrate the 98th anniversary of the party here on Dec 30. Speaking at a news briefing after a PML-N meeting here on Wednesday ... PM reviews ministers' performance ISLAMABAD Dec 22: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has started reviewing progress made on the goals and objectives set by federal and state ministers and secretaries for themselves some three months ago. ... Musharraf reiterates support for Sri Lanka ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: President General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and expressed support to the efforts by the government to bring about peace in the country. ... UNDP to help ensure poll transparency ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: United Nations Assistant Secretary General Dr Hafiz A. Pasha on Wednesday called on Chief Election Commissioner Irshad Hasan Khan and assured him of the UN Development Programme's support and assistance for transparency in the electoral process. ... Project to combat oil spills launched: Firms sign MoU KARACHI, Dec 22: The major port authority of the country - the Karachi Port Trust - and six leading oil companies on Wednesday launched a spill response project to enhance the existing capacity of combating marine oil spills ... NWFP, Wapda yet to sort out differences: Row over arbitration PESHAWAR, Dec 22: The NWFP government and Wapda have so far been unable to resolve their differences over terms and conditions of an agreement to enter into arbitration on the net hydel profit issue. ... PC to auction building of polytechnic institute: Rs93.25m spent in 18 years ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: The Federal Education Ministry has decided to hand the incomplete building of a polytechnic institute over to the Privatization Commission (PC) for auction after spending Rs93.252 million in 18 long years, Dawn has learnt. ... Watercourses to be rehabilitated ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: The federal government has decided to rehabilitate 86,000 watercourses throughout the country to increase the overall agricultural production. ... Flour price drops as exports decline PESHAWAR, Dec 22: Exports of flour to Afghanistan have declined significantly because of the introduction of 15 per cent regulatory duty on the export of flour to that country, according to official and market sources. ... Fishermen's delegation arrives for talks KARACHI, Dec 22: A 7-member delegation of Indian fishermen arrived on Wednesday to hold talks for the release of Indian fishermen and their boats. A director of Fishermen's Cooperative Society (FCS) Haji Mohammad Younus and other officials received the delegation at Karachi Airport. ... Setting up of infection control bodies urged KARACHI, Dec 22: Participants at the end of the two-day '5th Annual Conference 2004' organized by the Infection Control Society of Pakistan on Wednesday recommended establishment of infection control committees at all hospitals in the country. ... Third World warned of West's policies ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are forcing the developing countries, including Pakistan, to shift from staple foods to cash crops that only meet the luxury requirements of the western countries. ... Year's shortest day ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: Pakistan and countries in the northern hemisphere had the shortest day of the year on Wednesday. A Meteorological office spokesman said the shortest day is called the "Winter Solstice". ...

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