08 January 2005 Saturday 26 Ziqa'ad 1425 Opposition raising non-issues: Sherpao PESHAWAR, Jan 7: Federal Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has accused the opposition of trying to exploit non-issues like president's uniform and the religion column in the passport to serve their ulterior motives. ... MMA holds protests against Musharraf SANGHAR, Jan 7: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and Tahaffuz-i-Khatam-i-Nabuwwat took out a procession here on Friday in protest against deletion of the religion column from the passport. ... MMA holds protest rallies in Karachi: Govt policies slammed KARACHI, Jan 7: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on Friday observed a protest day during which demonstrations were held at more than 500 places, including mosques, as part of its countrywide campaign against President Gen Pervez Musharraf. ... MMA seeks discussion in NA on border clash ISLAMABAD Jan 7: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on Friday submitted an adjournment motion in the National Assembly seeking a debate on recent clashes between Pakistani and Afghan armies in the North Waziristan Agency. ... PML leader stresses need for arbitration: Baglihar issue ISLAMABAD, Jan 7: Chairman Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Secretary General of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, Senator Mushahid Husain, said here on Friday that international arbitration should be sought ... PA defers debate on Baglihar dam LAHORE, Jan 7: The Baglihar dam issue reverberated in the Punjab Assembly on Friday when the opposition demanded an immediate discussion on it, but the speaker delayed it till the House takes up the irrigation matters for a formal debate. ... Pakistan envoy to sign deal for AJK MUZAFFARABAD, Jan 7: Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Sardar Mohammad Anwar Khan has authorized the ambassador of Pakistan to Philippines to sign and execute an agreement with the Asian Development Bank ... Delay in land purchase for refugees irks minister MUZAFFARABAD, Jan 7: AJK Minister for Rehabilitation, Relief and Evacuee Property Amir Ghaffar Lone expressed resentment over delay in purchase of land for a residential colony for Kashmiri refugees in Karachi, it was learnt here on Friday. ... Ministers' absence annoys senators ISLAMABAD, Jan 7: The Law Ministry on Friday put the government in an embarrassing situation as none of its officials, including the federal and state ministers, came to attend a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee ... US advertises rewards for information on Osama, Omar ISLAMABAD, Jan 7: The United States on Friday advertised rewards in a leading newspaper for information leading to the capture of 14 Al Qaeda and Taliban leaders, including Osama bin Laden and Mullah Omar. ... US hails Pakistan's role in war on terror RAWALPINDI, Jan 7: The United States of America has enormous admiration for Pakistan's efforts against the war on terror. ... NRB chief backs CSOs stance on women seats ISLAMABAD, Jan 7: Local governments have become a provincial issue and it is up to the provincial governments to decide what sort of changes they like to bring in the LG system, National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) Chairman Daniyal Aziz said. ... Twenty-six brigadiers promoted ISLAMABAD, Jan 7: President General Pervez Musharraf on Friday promoted 26 brigadiers of Pakistan Army to the rank of major-general. ... Flour mills facing wheat shortage PESHAWAR, Jan 7: Flour mills in the NWFP cannot operate at full capacity due to provincial government's policy of reducing expenses under the head of subsidy on wheat and non-availability of the commodity in the open market ... POL price hike may hit PIA's revenue LAHORE, Jan 7: The PIA may not achieve its revenue target of 2004-05 due to increase in petroleum prices. PIA chairman Ahmad Saeed said this at the inauguration ceremony of the airline's new complex ... $2m Swiss, UNDP aid for reforms in NWFP ISLAMABAD, Jan 7: The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) on Friday signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under which it would provide $2 million as contribution for ongoing governance reforms ... Bank MD 'resigns'; summary sent to CM: Decision on replacement likely today PESHAWAR, Jan 7: The managing-director of the Bank of Khyber has submitted his resignation, ending a brief spell that was mired in controversies, a senior government official told Dawn. ... French award for Dr Naveed KARACHI, Jan 7: The French prime minister has awarded the prestigious "Chevalier dans l'ordre des Palmes Academiques" to Prof Dr Naveed Ahmed Tahir, director, Area Study Centre for Europe (ASCE), University of Karachi. ... Pakistan offers help to Sudan in IT sector ISLAMABAD, Jan 7: Pakistan is ready to assist Sudan in the IT sector by initiating joint ventures and transferring expertise and technical know-how for socio-economic development. ... HEC funding 129 research projects ISLAMABAD, Jan 7: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is funding 129 research projects being conducted at 36 public-sector universities and institutions of higher learning, says a press release. ... Pakistan asked to ensure farmers' protection ISLAMABAD, Jan 7: The developing countries, including Pakistan should ensure due protection to their farmers and seek greater market access for their agri-produce in the ongoing negotiation on agreement on agriculture ... Lady doctor's condition stable: PPL KARACHI, Jan 7: Rejecting reports of a criminal assault on a lady doctor of the Sui Field Hospital on Jan2-3 night, the Pakistan Petroleum Limited said on Friday that the doctor was severely beaten up by some robbers ...

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