18 February 2005 Friday 08 Muharram 1426 White paper issued against Sindh govt ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: A People's Party Parliamentarians MPA from Sindh, Humaira Alwani, on Thursday issued a white paper on the 'poor' performance of the provincial government during the past two years. ... MQM asks PPP not to join hands with MMA ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MNA Kunwar Khalid Younus has asked the People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) not to join hands with the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal ... PPP to publish report on 'corruption' of Nazims ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) will publish a report on the 'corruption' of district Nazims, district police officers (DPOs) and district coordination officers (DCOs). ... PML official vows to woo back dissidents PESHAWAR, Feb 17: The newly-appointed provincial PML information secretary has reiterated to work hard for strengthening the party. "I will try my best to persuade frustrated party workers to come back to the PML ... PPP pledges tickets to party workers: Local bodies' elections KHAIRPUR, Feb 17: People's Party Parliamentarians MNA Syed Fazal Shah Jilani has said that party workers will be given preference for awarding tickets in the local bodies' elections. ... Governor's remarks criticized by Bugti QUETTA, Feb 17: Jamhoori Watan Party chief Nawab Akbar Bugti has accused the Frontier Corps and Defence Service Guards of having fired thousands of rockets and mortar shells on civilian areas ... Balochistan situation worsening, warns NP KARACHI, Feb 17: Secretary General of the National Party Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo has warned that the situation in Balochistan is aggravating with every passing day as there exists nothing by the name of government. ... Musharraf and Badawi discuss regional issues ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: President General Pervez Musharraf and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Thursday discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations. ... Natwar sees Maqbool, Pervaiz Elahi LAHORE, Feb 17: Indian External Affairs Minister Kunwar Natwar Singh on Thursday separately called on the Punjab governor and the chief minister here. ... Resolutions against dams, US troops LAHORE, Feb 17: The Lahore High Court Bar Association on Thursday adopted two resolutions, which expressed concern over building of Indian dams on Kashmir rivers and reports of facilitating the US and UK troops for commando action in Iran by Pakistan. ... Japan extends $13.2m grant for two projects ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: The Government of Japan on Thursday extended a grant of 1,351 million yen (approximately Rs770 million) to the Government of Pakistan for two development projects to help improve sanitation and irrigation systems in Punjab. ... UNDP gives $30,000 for rain victims ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has donated a cheque for $30,000 to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) for the rain-affected people. ... Seven hydel-power projects approved ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: Federal Minister for Water and Power Liaquat Ali Jatoi has directed to encourage the development of hydel-power projects and approved seven raw hydel projects with 1,799 MW capacities ... S. Arabia sends relief for flood victims ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: The International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO) of Saudi Arabia on Thursday despatched emergency relief goods for victims of rains, snow and floods in Balochistan. ... PM concerned over poppy cultivation in Afghanistan RAWALPINDI, Feb 17: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has expressed concern over the increase in poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, saying it will have a negative impact on Pakistan in particular and the world at large. ... Phone companies yet to start verification: New connections ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: The cellular phone companies are flouting the government's decision regarding verification of intending subscribers' credentials while issuing new connections, a source told Dawn. ... British envoy lays stress on educational reforms ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: The strategic partnership between Pakistan and the UK is based on educational reforms and measures to counter terrorism and illegal immigration, said British High Commissioner Mark Lyall Grant. ... Violation of law: notices issued to 15 firms ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has said it issued show-cause notices to 15 listed companies for violating various provisions of law in January. ... Criticism of relief efforts irks Jam QUETTA, Feb 17: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousuf has said that his government would not allow anybody to derive political mileage out of the flood situation in the province. ... 'Road blockades may hinder relief work' PESHAWAR, Feb 17: A United Nations Joint Assessment Mission that began relief operations in the rain and snow affected areas of the NWFP has warned that road blockades could hinder rescue work. ... Frontier govt criticized for boycotting NSC PESHAWAR, Feb 17: Criticising the provincial government for not attending the National Security Council meeting, the Central Coordinator of the NWFP Pakistan Muslim League, Mr Moazam Butt, said here on Thursday ... SC reserves judgment in liquor sale permit case ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved judgment in a liquor sale permit case involving former Sindh excise and taxation minister Ismail Rahu and four other co- accused. ... CBR chief hints at import tariff cut - Smuggling from China LAHORE, Feb 17: Central Board of Revenue (CBR) Chairman Abdullah Yousuf has hinted at revamping the import tariff regime for combating smuggling, especially from China. ... A cosmetic step, says Hizb chief MUZAFFARABAD, Feb 17: The Supreme Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, Syed Salahuddin, on Thursday termed the proposed bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad a 'cosmetic step'. ... Provinces told to monitor ex-prisoners' activities RAWALPINDI, Feb 17: The government has decided to keep a vigil on the prisoners released from Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, as intelligence reports suggest that some of them are still involved in anti-state activities. ... Imam Hussain's struggle basis of freedom movements ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: The difference between freedom movements and acts of terrorism was explained in a discussion session organized by the South Asian Centre here on Thursday. ...

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