06 February 2005 Sunday 26 Zilhaj 1425 Aziz reiterates support for Kashmir cause ISLAMABAD, Feb 5: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has reiterated Pakistan's continued political and moral support to the people of Kashmir in their just struggle for the right of self-determination. ... Rulers out to suppress religious forces: Qazi ISLAMABAD Feb 5: President of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) Qazi Hussain Ahmed on Saturday accused General Musharraf of being on a mission to crush Islamist forces in the country under dictation from the United States. ... MMA, ARD on forefront for Kashmir cause FAISALABAD, Feb 5: Scores of demonstrations, especially by the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy, marked the Kashmir Solidarity Day in the length and breadth of the Punjab on Saturday. ... UK asked to help resolve Kashmir issue LONDON, Feb 5: Expressing full solidarity with the struggling Kashmiris, British Kashmiris on Saturday sought support of their government to press India for implementing four Kashmir Centric Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to pave the way for a just resolution of the Kashmir issue. ... Low-key Kashmir Day in US WASHINGTON, Feb 5: Pakistan was preparing to raise the Kashmir issue here on Saturday, reminding the international community that the resolution of the dispute remained a key part of its efforts to improve relations with India. ... Continued support to Kashmiris assured PESHAWAR, Feb 5: The Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed in Peshawar with a pledge by the provincial and district governments that all necessary support would be extended to the Kashmiri people struggling for their right of self-determination. ... Solidarity expressed with Kashmiris: Liberation of Jummu and Kashmir HYDERABAD, Feb 5: Kashmir Day was observed in different cities and towns of the interior of Sindh on Saturday. In Hyderabad, the main business centres remained closed and there was very thin traffic on the roads. ... Karachiites rally for Kashmiris' rights KARACHI, Feb 5: Like elsewhere in the country, Kashmir Day was observed in Karachi with the pledge that people of Pakistan would continue to extend their wholehearted support to the just cause of the people of the Kashmir who are striving for their just struggle. ... Rally staged to express solidarity with Kashmiris RAWALPINDI, Feb 5: Hundreds of people rallied here on Saturday to express solidarity with the Kashmiris, demanding that UN resolutions be implemented to solve the longstanding dispute. ... Opposition criticizes Kashmir policy KARACHI, Feb 5: Government policies on Kashmir were criticized by the participants of a rally, organized by the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, near Quaid's mausoleum. ... Pervaiz for resolution of Kashmir issue LAHORE, Feb 5: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi has said resolution of the Kashmir issue in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiris was necessary for a lasting peace in the region. ... Govt planning operation: Bugti QUETTA, Feb 5: Jamhoori Watan Party chief Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti said on Saturday that the government was making preparations to launch a military operation in Sui and Dera Bugti. ... Implementation of senate body's: Balochistan crisis proposals sought PESHAWAR, Feb 5: The NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani said here on Friday that the centre should implement recommendations of the Senate committee to defuse tension in Balochistan. ... Minister calls for political solution: Balochistan deadlock HYDERABAD, Feb 5: Sindh Communication and Works Minister Pir Sadruddin Shah Rashidi has called for a political solution to the Balochistan issue and said the provincial leadership must be taken into confidence before any decision. ... Govt wants showdown: Kachkol KARACHI, Feb 5: Opposition leader in the Balochistan Assembly Kachkol Ali Baloch has described the current situation in Balochistan as 'alarming', claiming that the government had now started arresting political activists. ... Conspiracy against MQM alleged KARACHI, Feb 5: The deputy convener of the coordination committee of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has said that a conspiracy has been hatched to bring a bad name to the increasing popularity of their party in all the provinces ... No compromise on Kalabagh: ANP PESHAWAR, Feb 5: The Awami National Party (ANP) has reiterated its opposition to the construction of a big dam at Kalabagh and asked the federal government to shelve the project once and for all in the larger national interest. ... JI, JUI will support bill to ban music, dance at public places PESHAWAR, Feb 5: Major component parties of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) will support two private bills, moved in the provincial assembly, seeking a ban on music and dancing at all public places and educational institutions in the province. ... PPP condemns increase in gas prices ISLAMABAD, Feb 5: Leader of opposition in Senate Senator Mian Raza Rabbani has condemned the increased in gas prices. ... Legislators team leaves for UK today ISLAMABAD, Feb 5: National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain will leave for England along with a seven-member parliamentary delegation on a six-day visit on the invitation of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) on Sunday. ... Military reinforcement likely if required, says Sherpao HARIPUR, Feb 5: Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has made it clear that military reinforcement was possible if the situation remained tense and vital installations in Balochistan under threat. ... NWFP hopeful of getting third tranche of WB loan PESHAWAR, Feb 5: The NWFP government would qualify for $90 million, the third tranche of the World Bank loan, for implementing structural adjustment credit (SAC)-III to get credit line from the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID). ... Youth urged to get modern knowledge KARACHI, Feb 5: The Sindh governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad, on Saturday said that a trained and educated workforce equipped with the latest knowledge and education played an important role in the development of any nation. ... Minister opposes new academic schedule KARACHI, Feb 5: The Federal Education Minister, Lt-Gen (Retd) Javed Ashraf Qazi, has denied allegations that the government was bringing changes in the educational curricula on directives from the USA ... Pakistan, India told to build confidence: Japanese mission in city KARACHI, Feb 5: The members of the Japanese Peace Mission have urged the people of Pakistan and India to build bridges of trust, and improve their relations so that the peace prevails in the subcontinent and masses could live a peaceful life. ... Overpopulation to remain a burden: report ISLAMABAD, Feb 5: Pakistan will remain under the burden of overpopulation in the future as out of the country's estimated 151.1 million population, 33.59 million women are in the reproductive age ... 0.15m pilgrims sent for Haj this year, says minister ISLAMABAD, Feb 5: The religious affairs ministry had successfully conducted the Haj programme this year and sent a record number of 150,000 pilgrims to perform their religious obligation. ... Foreign firms asked to invest in energy sector ISLAMABAD, Feb 5: Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Amanullah Khan Jadoon has said the government will encourage and facilitate Russian and Turkish investors in the oil and gas development projects. ... Polish envoy for exchange of trade delegations LAHORE, Feb 5; Polish Ambassador Boglan Merezewski has said that his country is interested in expansion of economic relations with Pakistan in all the fields. ... Encroachment spoils the shrine of a saint LAHORE, Feb 5: The shrine of Mir Khwaja Mahmood, popularly known as Hazrat Eshan, a contemporary saint of Hazrat Mian Mir, has been encroached upon by locals. ... PIA denies sacking of DMD ISLAMABAD, Feb 5: PIA's spokesperson, Samina Pervez, on Saturday said the post of the deputy managing director (finance) had been abolished and the officer concerned relieved of his duties. ... Pakistan to set up eye camps in Afghanistan ISLAMABAD, Feb 5: The government of Pakistan has decided to run free eye camps in Afghanistan's four major cities starting later this month. ... Body of trader found in Kabul MARDAN, Feb 5: The body of a Pakistani businessman, who had gone missing in Afghanistan, was found from a dry well in Kabul and was later buried in a Kabul graveyard on Friday. ... Nizam Siddiqui passes away KARACHI, Feb 5: Senior journalist Nizam Siddiqui died in a local hospital on Saturday after a brief illness. He was 68. He leaves behind a widow, two sons, two daughters and a host of friends and admirers. ...

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