25 January 2005 Tuesday 14 Zilhaj 1425 PML-N leaders try to defend party chief: Shahbaz-Benazir meeting ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: The Pakistan Muslim League-N leaders are busy in giving various justifications for the decision of party president Shahbaz Sharif of not meeting with PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari ... New anti-Musharraf alliance in the offing ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: Some senior politicians calling themselves independents are getting together at the residence of former speaker Syed Fakhr Imam and ex-federal minister Begum Abida Hussain in Islamabad on Tuesday to form an alliance of opposition politicians. ... PML drive from Feb 4 LAHORE, Jan 24: A membership campaign for organizing the PML at the ward level will start from Feb 4. Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi, who is also the provincial president of the party ... SC adjourns judge's transfer case ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned a case regarding transfer of an accountability judge, hearing ARY Gold reference against Asif Ali Zardari, husband of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. ... PPP demands arrest of assault accused HYDERABAD, Jan 24: People's Party Parliamentarians leader Syed Naveed Qamaruzzaman Shah has observed that the Gen Pervez Musharraf government's wrong political, economic and financial policies have put the very existence of the country at stake. ... Govt warned against army operation QUETTA, Jan 24: Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai has warned the government that any attempt to resolve political issues, including the Sui problem, through extra-constitutional means would invite violence. ... Strike observed in most Sindh towns - Balochistan situation HYDERABAD, Jan 24: A complete strike was observed throughout the interior of Sindh, except Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Sanghar, on Monday in protest against a military operation in Balochistan and a criminal assault on a lady doctor in the Sui area. ... Rashid denies report about Sui operation ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, expressing government's resolve to ensure safety of gas installation in Sui area, said the political process for solving Balochistan problems would continue. ... 'Change in passport difficult' ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: The interior ministry has informed the higher authorities that it cannot immediately "add another page" to include the religion column in the newly-introduced machine readable passports (MRPs). ... MNA files breach of privilege motion: Blackout of NA resolution on PTV ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: A ruling party MNA has charged the PTV with blacking out a news in its main Khabarnama on the unanimous adoption of a resolution by the National Assembly ... Musharraf for promotion of art, culture ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Monday stressed the need to promote Pakistani art and culture in order to project a softer image of the country. ... Statement of lady doctor recorded QUETTA, Jan 24: A judicial tribunal recorded in Karachi on Monday the statement of a lady doctor who had been reportedly assaulted in Sui and set Jan 27 as the next date of proceeding which would be held in Quetta. ... Minister urged to persuade Punjab to release wheat PESHAWAR, Jan 24: The Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA), NWFP, has appealed to the Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture, Cooperatives and Livestock Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan to ask the Punjab government ... Govt asked to ratify ILO Convention: Home-based women workers ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) has recommended that the government must ratify the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention on Home Workers that would give recognition to the Home Based Women Workers (HBWWs). ... Accounting model for budget estimates LAHORE, Jan 24: The Punjab government will prepare its budget estimates for the financial year 2005-06 on the basis of the New Accounting Model (NAM). ... FIA offices told to complete inquiries PESHAWAR, Jan 24: All regional offices of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have been ordered to complete inquiries against the accused by Feb 12. ... Uplift of remote areas promised DADU, Jan 24: Federal Minister for Water and Power Liaquat Jatoi has said that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has approved a grant of Rs150 million for development projects in the district during the current financial year. ... Country's 87 jails overcrowded - HRCP BAHAWALPUR, Jan 24: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has given out in its report that the country's 87 jails are overcrowded. ... Centre issues permits to hunt 93 rare animals KARACHI, Jan 24: The Federal government has allowed the trophy hunting of 93 animals of rare species, which are otherwise protected under wildlife protection laws in the country ... PN search operation in Banda Aceh ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: Pakistan Navy divers have started search in the dangerous parts of Banda Aceh port in Indonesia which the other navies present in the area have been unable to undertake, a press release issued by the Naval Headquarters here on Monday said. ... Naval chief leaves on 3-nation visit ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Shahid Karimullah left on an official visit to Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei on Monday. ... New Unicef chief named ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: Unicef will work with renewed commitment and vigour for the betterment of children in Pakistan under the leadership of its new Executive Director Ann M. Veneman. ... Stop meddling in PMDC affairs, PMA tells govt KARACHI, Jan 24: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has demanded autonomous status for the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) in order to improve standard of medical and dental education in country. ... Ministry 'meddling' with PMDC affairs LAHORE, Jan 24: The health ministry is allegedly interfering with the affairs of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), an independent autonomous body, to manipulate the election of PMDC president. ... Cardio pulmonary revival not available KARACHI, Jan 24: None of the medical education and training centres across the country offers recognized training in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), a life-saving technique which requires no extraordinary funding or advanced technology. ... Met Office forecasts more rain, snowfall ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: The Met Office on Monday forecast more rain in Balochistan and snowfall in Ziarat and Quetta and adjoining hilly areas over the next 24 hours. ...

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