19 February 2005 Saturday 09 Muharram 1426 Independent group to join ARD ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: The Independent Democratic Group (IDG), formed by senior politicians, has decided to formally join the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD), sources told Dawn here on Friday. ... Azhar for expanding accountability LAHORE, Feb 18: Former Muslim League president Mian Azhar has stressed the need to expand and streamline the process of accountability for safeguarding country's integrity and promoting democratic system. ... Altaf calls for promoting sectarian harmony KARACHI, Feb 18: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief, Altaf Hussain, has urged Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Arbab Rahim and provincial ministers to visit each and every nook and corner of the province ... CNIC right of Orangi people, says MMA KARACHI, Feb 18: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on Friday criticized the government's refusal to issue identity cards to those who migrated from the East Pakistan and urged the government to fulfill its promise in this regard. ... Minister stresses need for tolerance in politics ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sher Afgan Khan Niazi has said that there is a need to inculcate tolerance in national politics as opposition leaders had always invited army generals to seize power ... Musharraf's policies 'meant to please US' LAHORE, Feb 18: President Gen Pervez Musharraf is annulling the blasphemy law and removing religious column from passport to please the US and divest the country of its ideology. ... PM performs Umrah JEDDAH, Feb 18: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and his entourage performed Umrah on Friday night. They offered special prayers for prosperity and well-being of the country, unity of the Ummah and liberation of occupied Muslim lands. ... Kasuri briefs envoys on India talks ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri on Friday briefed the ambassadors of EU, G-8 and P-5 countries on his recent talks with his Indian counterpart Natwar Singh. ... Straw hails agreement on bus service New Delhi, Feb 18: British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on Friday hailed the agreement on starting the Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service and other confidence building measures (CBMs) between Pakistan and India. ... Pakistan, Malaysia to boost cooperation ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: Pakistan and Malaysia have agreed to increase cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting bilateral economic and trade ties, a joint communique issued on Friday said. ... CM defends sacking of minister, warns others - 'Good governance aimed at' KARACHI, Feb 18: Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Friday defended his decision to sack Imtiaz Ahmad Shaikh as minister for revenue and political affairs ... Imtiaz hits back at CM, alleges misdeeds - Grudge cited as motive for removal KARACHI, Feb 18: Imtiaz Ahmad Shaikh, who was sacked on Thursday as the Sindh minister for revenue and political affairs, has rejected the allegations of corruption and mal practices against him and his brother, Maqbool Shaikh, as 'baseless'. ... 8,000-year-old civilization in Mehrgarh proved KARACHI, Feb 18: The excavations carried out at Mehrgarh have proved that the site represents a highly developed civilization that existed there until around 8,000 years ago, according to a French archaeologist. ... 28,000 acre feet water at Rawal dam ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: Water level at Rawal dam has increased to 28,000 acre feet due to the ongoing rains promising an abundant supply of water to Rawalpindi in the summer. ... IT accords signed with Indian firms KARACHI, Feb 18: A 15-member delegation of IT and IT-Enabled Services companies signed a couple of agreements with Indian companies during their recent nine-day visit to Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. ... 'No South Asian state allows media freedom' LAHORE, Feb 18: South Asian Free Media Association secretary-general Imtiaz Alam has said no state in the region was ready to accept the adversarial role of the media as a watchdog of society ... Ministry told to establish evaluation system in depts ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed the Ministry of Industries and Production to establish a strict monitoring and evaluation system and ensure adherence to rules and regulations ... Certification for non-profit organizations ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: The Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy has granted seven non-profit organizations (NPO) certification award for maintaining good standards in internal governance, financial management and programme delivery, says a press release. ... 20pc births registered in country ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: Only 20 per cent births are registered in the country, Chairperson National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) Brig (retired) Moeen said ... Urdu's turn to serve peace and itself ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: In prime springtime next month, Urdu is set to make a big show of its charm in Islamabad designed to serve peace and itself. ... Victim to identify suspects in Karachi: Lady doctor assault case ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: The Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) on Friday informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources that suspects in the Sui lady doctor assault case had been arrested ... PPL report on lady doctor's rape disputed KARACHI, Feb 18: The joint fact-finding team of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and Aurat Foundation has disputed the claims by the Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) ...

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