01 January 2005 Saturday 19 Ziqa'ad 1425 ARD, MMA to launch joint movement ISLAMABAD, Dec 31: The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) chairman, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, on Friday said the ARD and Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) had decided in principle to launch a movement on the uniform issue. ... MMA calls for struggle LAHORE, Dec 31: The entire nation is duty-bound to wage a struggle against Gen Musharraf for he has backed out of his commitment about taking off his uniform, according to an MMA leader. ... Opposition in Swat to hold protest rallies today MINGORA, Dec 31: The opposition parties in Swat have planned to hold protest demonstrations across the district in response to their leadership's call for observing a black day on Saturday. ... No compromise on Islamic values: CM PESHAWAR, Dec 31: NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani on Friday ruled out any compromise on Islamic teachings and injunctions, and said the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal had been voted to protect religious values ... Communication gap termed main hurdle: Regional harmony ISLAMABAD, Dec 31: Ordinary people in Pakistan and India are facing visa restrictions despite the ongoing Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) while the decades-old communication gap which created hurdles in the way of regional harmony still exists on both sides. ... Pakistan completes UNSC term ISLAMABAD, Dec 31: Pakistan on Friday completed its two-year term on the United Nations Security Council. Pakistan, Angola, Chile, Germany and Spain were elected in September 2002 and their term began on Jan 1, 2003. ... Healthcare targets remain illusive KARACHI, Dec 31: The year 2004 was supposed to be a watershed in the history of healthcare in Pakistan, as polio was supposed to be banished from the country by the end of this year ... Immigration takes over passport project LAHORE, Dec 31: The National Database and Registration Authority has formally handed over the Machine Readable Passport project to the immigration and passport department. ... PR privatization on the cards - Minister - Ticketing system goes online SUKKUR, Dec 31: Minister of State for Railways Mohammad Ishaq Khakwani has said that privatization of the Pakistan Railways is on the cards and except its core business all departments ... Doctor brothers' case adjourned KARACHI, Dec 31: A writ petition challenging the detention of Dr Akmal Waheed and Dr Arshad Waheed was on Friday adjourned to Jan 3. The detention has been ordered by the provincial home department ... Envoys open relief camp for tsunami victims KARACHI, Dec 31: The consul-generals of Siri Lanka and Indonesia on Friday expressed the hope that the people of Pakistan will extend help to the tsunami-hit population in the two countries, which were facing a major natural disaster. ... Balochistan paralyzed by heavy snowfall QUETTA, Dec 31: Normal life was paralyzed and the Balochistan province was cut off from the rest of the country and air and road links were also suspended between Quetta and other parts of the province ... Bottled water found injurious to health LAHORE, Dec 31: A division bench of the Supreme Court was informed on Friday that bottled water being marketed by a multi-national company was injurious to health and that of another firm ... TB incidence among refugees on rise PESHAWAR, Dec 31: The number of tuberculosis patients among Afghan refugees has increased over the past year because of sudden relocation of displaced people and health staff from camps, speakers said at a function on Friday. ...

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