02 February 2005 Wednesday 22 Zilhaj 1425 Senate session begins today ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: Political fireworks over the prevailing unrest in Balochistan are likely when the Senate meets on Wednesday after a 54-day recess. Opposition parties have planned to seek discussion on the Balochistan situation. ... PPP submits motion to NA sectt on rise in road accidents ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: The People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) has submitted an adjournment motion to the National Assembly Secretariat, seeking discussion on increase in number of road accidents on various highways in the country. ... PPP leaders criticize Musharraf on Kalabagh KARACHI, Feb 1: The executive committee of the Pakistan Peoples Party (Sindh chapter) on Tuesday rejected President Pervez Musharraf's stance on Kalabagh dam and slammed the government for pursuing deceptive policies ... PML being reactivated KARACHI, Feb 1: The Pakistan Muslim League (PML) has decided to reactivate the party, prior to the local bodies' elections, and has launched its membership drive from Feb 4. ... Sui attackers won't be spared, says Sherpao ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said on Tuesday that the government would not spare anybody involved in attacks on vital installations in Balochistan. ... Conciliatory measures in Balochistan proposed ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: A Baloch tribal leader and member of the ruling party's central executive committee Mir Shah Jehan Khetran has called upon the government to declare Balochistan a weapon free zone. ... PML-N's bypoll strategy LAHORE, Feb 1: The PML-N held a meeting of Lahore MPs and Nazims here on Tuesday to formulate election strategy for by-polls in NA-127. ... Fair distribution of resources urged SUKKUR, Feb 1: Leaders of the Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement have observed that the 1973 Constitution neither provides autonomy to the provinces nor safeguards their rights. ... Govt accused of selling out Kashmir cause HYDERABAD, Feb 1: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal has alleged that the rulers have sold out the Kashmir cause and said India is violating the Indus Basin Treaty by constructing the Baghliar dam. ... FIA unit to control human smuggling LAHORE, Feb 1: The FIA's Anti-Trafficking Unit (ATU) has been established to control human smuggling. The ATU has been functional in all FIA zonal offices in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Quetta and Peshawar. ... Correction In the Sunday Magazine issue dated January 30, 2005, the name of Mrs Jennifer Musa was erroneously mentioned as Late Mrs Jennifer Musa. ... Turkish team calls on interior minister ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: A Turkish delegation led by Interior Under Secretary Schabettin Horpe called on Pakistan's Minister for Interior Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao at his office here on Tuesday. ... Japan to finance highway repair project ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: Japan will provide financial assistance to improve the Kararo-Wad section of Karachi-Quetta-Chaman national highway, and to further develop Construction Machinery Training Institute (CMTI). ... Summary sent to federal cabinet for legislation: Jobs quota for special persons ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: Federal Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education Zobaida Jalal on Tuesday said the ministry had sent a summary to the federal cabinet for legislation on reserving a two per cent jobs quota for disabled persons ... Status on par with US partners sought: Textile trade issue ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: Pakistan has officially asked the United States to treat it on a par with Egypt, Turkey and Israel in textile trade to enable it to sustain its counter- terrorism efforts. ... Package for renewable energy uplift on cards ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: Minister of State for Environment Malik Amin Aslam on Tuesday said a comprehensive policy package for promotion and financing of renewable energy sector would be unveiled in the last week of the current month. ... Courts can't take up army matters - GHQ LAHORE, Feb 1: The General Headquarters on Tuesday deposed before the Lahore High Court that no matter related to armed forces personnel could be agitated before any law court. ... Briefing on construction of dams ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: The Technical Committee on Water Resources (TCWR) will try to reach consensus on the construction of dams and distribution of water on Thursday, says TCWR chairman A.N.G. Abbasi. ... 'OIC to project moderate image of Ummah' KARACHI, Feb 1: The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Prof Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has underlined the need of making the OIC proactive and efficient ... Texas varsity to assist UHS LAHORE, Feb 1: The University of Texas, USA, director (outcomes, assessment and bio-statistical services), Dr. Terry E. Rives arrived at the University of Health Science on a nine-day visit here on Tuesday. ... Plight of women highlighted LAHORE, Feb 1: Among various things this country can boast of, violation of human rights has to fall side by side poverty and illiteracy. That is not to say that the law and order situation is satisfactory or the political atmosphere healthy. ... HRCP paints dismal picture of human rights situation in 2004 ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: A premier independent human rights body has painted a dismal picture of human rights situation in Pakistan during last year and called for government steps and people's participation in decision-making to improve it. ... ST, IT depts' functions being merged ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: As part of the tax administration's restructuring plan, the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has decided to merge most of the functions of sales tax and income tax departments. ... Awais seeks UN help for ICTs promotion ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: Pakistan has sought help from the United Nations' Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP) in promoting information communication technologies (ICTs) for the benefit of the people ... President envisions Pakistan's soft image - Art academy inaugurated KARACHI, Feb 1: President Pervez Musharraf here on Tuesday evening formally inaugurated Pakistan's first National Academy of Performing Arts and urged Pakistanis whether in the public/ private or corporate sector ... Rs140 million approved for 27 schools' upgradation ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Tuesday approved a project worth Rs140 million for the upgradation of 27 federal government secondary and high schools in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Dawn has learnt. ... PEMRA gives permission for FM radio KARACHI, Feb 1: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority on Tuesday allowed the Mass Communication Department of Karachi University to establish its own FM Radio Station for "education and entertainment" purposes. ... Afghan DPs' census may be inaccurate KOHAT, Feb 1: The second phase of census and screening of Afghan refugees may have to be an exercise in futility because as the local government has not yet identified aliens who have been living in urban areas ... Number of crime cases against Afghans declines PESHAWAR, Feb 1: There has been a marked decline in cases of heinous crimes involving Afghan nationals since the repatriation of a large number of refugees from the city and its suburbs. ... Refugees advised to continue TB treatment PESHAWAR, Feb 1: Officials of the Afghan TB Control Programme have urged refugees to receive transfer-out-cards before returning home to avoid spreading the epidemic in their country. ... Govt urged to resolve issues through talks PESHAWAR, Feb 1: The National Democratic Front has urged the government to put an end to the ongoing military operations in South Waziristan and Balochistan and try to find a political solution of the problem ... PTA decides to move against cell phone firm KARACHI, Feb 1: In a long-awaited move, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has decided to take action against Mobilink in view of increasing public complaints against the cell phone company. ...

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