06 January 2005 Thursday 24 Ziqa'ad 1425 PPP ready for national reconciliation: Qasim - Musharraf asked to join PML if interested in politics ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: Opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly and the People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) Punjab President Qasim Zia has said his party is ready for "national reconciliation" but it should be based on principles. ... PPP wants Musharraf to set date for quitting army post: Letter to diplomats explains party's policy LAHORE, Jan 5: In what appears to be a sea change in its thinking, the PPP of Ms Benazir Bhutto has asked President Pervez Musharraf to set a deadline to take off his uniform. ... Pagara can be party head: Shujaat KARACHI, Jan. 5: Pakistan Muslim League chief and former Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has said that if Pir Pagara is not prepared to accept his leadership, he is ready to accept Mr Pagara's leadership. ... MMA plans 500 rallies in Karachi KARACHI, Jan 5: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) intends to organize 500 demonstrations in Karachi alone as part of its nationwide protest movement, beginning Jan 7, against Gen Musharraf's decision to continue holding offices ... Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997: President signs bill ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: President Gen Pervez Musharraf accorded assent on Wednesday to the bill amending the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. The bill was passed by the National Assembly on Oct 18 and by the Upper House of Parliament on Dec 9. ... Signing of karo-kari bill praised KARACHI, Jan 5: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan has described the signing of the bill on karo-kari by President Pervez Musharraf as a historic achievement for which he deserves all praise. ... Bhutto's birth anniversary observed ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) central secretariat and its women wing here on Wednesday jointly arranged a ceremony to celebrate the 77th birth anniversary of the party's founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. ... Birthday of Bhutto celebrated LARKANA, Jan 5: The 77th birth anniversary of Pakistan People's Party founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was celebrated throughout interior of Sindh by his followers in a befitting manner. ... PPP-S leaders pay tributes to ZAB RAWALPINDI, Jan 5: Central leaders of Pakistan People's Party (Sherpao) on Wednesday claimed that they were the real heirs of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and would not allow their opponents to hijack the party. ... Parliamentary secretaries ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday urged parliamentary secretaries to be more proactive. He was talking to the newly appointed secretaries. ... Motion on petroleum price-hike disallowed ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro has disallowed an adjournment motion submitted by 10 opposition senators seeking a debate on recent hike in the prices of petroleum products ... No change in AJK, N.As status: Faisal ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat has said no one can influence the constitutional status of Azad Kashmir, Gilgit and Baltistan. ... Kashmiris hold rallies, demonstrations in Muzaffarabad: Right to Self Determination Day MUZAFFARABAD, Jan 5: Kashmiri people staged rallies and demonstrations on Wednesday to mark the 'Right to Self Determination Day' and reminded the world bodies ... Pakistani troops taking part in relief efforts MEDAN, Jan 5: Pakistani troops left for Indonesia's worst-hit Bander Aceh province on Wednesday to set up a field hospital for people devastated by tsunami waves. ... 'Friendship with China time-tested' ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Ijazul Haq has said friendship between Pakistan and China is time-tested and will further grow in future. ... Japan may resume aid ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: Japan will formally announce the resumption of its annual assistance to Pakistan soon, said an official of the finance ministry. ... Pakistan, Syria to cooperate in higher education ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has assured the Syrian government of full cooperation in the field of higher education. ... 'US health aid according to priorities' ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: The US government through its development agency - USAID - is providing significant assistance for health sector development in Pakistan, US Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker said on Wednesday. ... US forces not to be deployed in Wana ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao on Wednesday ruled out any possibility of deployment of US forces in Wana, an area considered to be the hub of terrorists and foreign militants. ... BOR member authorized to check irregularities - Land allotment KARACHI, Jan 5: The Sindh cabinet on Wednesday reversed a decision of the previous cabinet with regard to the approval of land allotments. ... $2m Swiss aid for reform programme in NWFP ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has signed an agreement with the UNDP for $2 million contribution towards the implementation of governance reform programme in the NWFP. ... Prosecution closes side in doctor brothers' case KARACHI, Jan 5: Prosecution on Wednesday closed side before Anti- Terrorism Court in Karachi in a trial against Dr Akmal Waheed and his brother Dr Arshad Waheed after cross-examination of its final witness. ...

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