30 December 2004 Thursday 17 Ziqa'ad 1425 NA session postponed ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: The National Assembly session planned for January 3 has been postponed till the end of the month, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Sher Afgan, told Dawn. ... MMA ready for protest against Musharraf LAHORE, Dec 29: The MMA will hold protest demonstrations at all the tehsil and district headquarters in the country and on busy highways on Jan 1 against Gen Musharraf for backing out of his promise of taking his uniform off by Dec 31. ... PML-N to take part in protest drive: MMA FAISALABAD, Dec 29: Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal Punjab President Hafiz Muhammad Idress has said the PML-N leadership has assured the alliance of taking part in the protest demonstrations scheduled to be held across the country from Jan 1. ... MQM sets terms for joint struggle: Military's intervention in politics LAHORE, Dec 29: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement will quit the ruling coalition and join hands with opposition parties if all of them sign an agreement to wage a decisive battle against military interventions ... Asif's plea for passport disposed of KARACHI, Dec 29: The Sindh High Court disposed of as not pressed a writ petition moved by PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari for issuance of a passport and against inclusion of his name in the exit control list. ... PPP rejects non-party local bodies polls LAHORE, Dec 29: The Punjab PPP on Wednesday rejected the government's decision to hold the upcoming local elections on non-party basis. ... Khuhro slams non-serious attitude of govt KARACHI, Dec 29: Opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro on Wednesday criticized the provincial government for its 'non-serious attitude' towards resolving the pressing issues being faced by masses ... Rangers occupying 55 civilian buildings: Minister tells PA KARACHI, Dec 29: There are 55 hostel, school and college buildings in the province which are being used either as police stations, headquarters of law-enforcement agencies or residences of the officials of police ... 2 magistrates examined in doctor brothers' case KARACHI, Dec 29: An anti-terrorism court in Karachi on Wednesday adjourned the hearing of a trial against Dr Akmal Waheed and his brother Dr Arshad Waheed after examination of two prosecution witnesses. ... Robust economy must for peace, says Aziz ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday said with a strong, stable and robust economy, reliable defence and credible foreign policy, Pakistan could play a role of "anchor of peace" in the region ... Need to speed up work on projects stressed ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have stressed the need for accelerating the benefits of economic revival and growth to the people by speeding up various development programmes ... Body approves amendments to Senate rules of procedure ISLAMABAD, DEC 29: The Senate standing committee on rules of procedure and privileges here on Wednesday approved a couple of amendments to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 1988. ... Govt denies deviation from stand on NFC KARACHI, Dec 29: Senior Minister Syed Sardar Ahmad told the Sindh Assembly on Wednesday that there was no deviation by the provincial government from its stance on the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. ... Pukhtun nationalists criticized PESHAWAR, Dec 29: The NWFP general-secretary of Pakistan People's Party, Mr Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao, MPA, has said that so-called Pukhtun nationalists have done nothing for the rights of the province ... Reduction in UC seats criticized ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: Pattan Development Organization has taken exception to the federal government's decision to reduce the number of union council seats in the local bodies polls slated for March next year. ... Promotion of peace in South Asia stressed: Goodwill team meets governor PESHAWAR, Dec 29: Members of a goodwill delegation from the US have said that they wanted to play a role in promoting peace and removing misunderstandings in Pakistan and India. ... Edhi to send relief goods to Sri Lanka ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: Renowned social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi said on Wednesday he was sending a 20-member rescue team along with relief goods, including clothes and medicine, to tsunami-hit Sri Lanka. ... 11 Pakistani pilgrims die in S. Arabia ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: Eleven Pakistani pilgrims have died in Saudi Arabia since Dec 15, the directorate general of Haj announced here on Wednesday. A press release issued here said that five pilgrims died in Makkah and six in Madinah. ... British Council to assist ministry in education project ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: The British Council will assist the federal education ministry in assessing education standards in the country, says a press release. ... Japan to help in HR development ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: Japan will provide technical and financial assistance to Pakistan for human resource and infrastructural development. ... SBP move to check bank thefts KARACHI, Dec 29: The State Bank has tightened rules to prevent employees of private security agencies from getting involved in bank thefts and robberies. ... Wanted militant criticizes govt WANA, Dec 29: Wanted tribal militant Abdullah Mehsud, who carries a reward of Rs5 million on his head, has vowed to continue his struggle in the South Waziristan region. ... 'More industries to be set up in NWFP' ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: Federal Minister for Industries and Production Jehangir Khan Tareen on Wednesday said efforts would be made to increase the pace of industrialisation in the NWFP. ... Blast accused sentenced to death in AJK MUZAFFARABAD, Dec 29: A district criminal court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday handed down capital punishment for 10 times to an accused of a deadly bomb blast in the region five years ago which had killed 10 people. ...

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