20 February 2005 Sunday 10 Muharram 1426 Benazir, Nawaz for resistance against tyranny ISLAMABAD, Feb 19: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairperson Benazir Bhutto and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Quaid Nawaz Sharif have called upon countrymen to resist tyranny and oppression and struggle for supremacy ... ARD defers Dera Bugti meeting: PPP Balochistan oppose move ISLAMABAD, Feb 19: The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) has postponed its meeting scheduled to be held in Dera Bugti on February 25 and has announced to hold a public meeting in Lahore on the same day. ... PPP ready to take part in local bodies polls MARDAN, Feb 19: The NWFP People's Party Parliamentarians president (PPP) has said that a government plan to hold local bodies polls on non-party basis seems uncertain, however, the party was ready to contest them. ... PPP slates 'political victimization' by CM KARACHI, Feb 19: The Pakistan People's Party has condemned, what it called, 'victimization of political opponents by Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim', and urged human rights organizations to raise their voice ... PPP criticizes 'victimization' of political opponents ISLAMABAD, Feb 19: The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has condemned, what it termed, victimization of political opponents by Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim. ... Imtiaz says he enjoys support of 20 MPAs KARACHI, Feb 19: Amid deepening political crisis in Sindh, the sacked provincial minister, Imtiaz Ahmad Shaikh, has claimed that he enjoys support of more than 20 MPAs, including the ministers, Altaf Hussain Unnar ... Relief work continues in Balochistan: ISPR ISLAMABAD, Feb 19: Army personnel continued relief operations in southern and northern parts of Balochistan on Saturday. ... Balochistan floods claimed 81 lives: Relief effort in full swing - minister QUETTA, Feb 19: The recent spell of rain, snowfall and flash floods hit fifteen districts of Balochistan particularly hard, claiming 81 lives and inflicting heavy economic losses on the people living there. ... Kashmiris involvement in talks stressed ISLAMABAD, Feb 19: The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) here on Saturday said a peaceful and durable solution to the Kashmir issue was possible only after India and Pakistan gave full representation to the Kashmiris in the ongoing dialogue process. ... 'Large dams vital for country' PESHAWAR, Feb 19: Minister of State for Water and Power Amir Muqam has said that construction of large dams is vital for the economic growth and well-being of the people of the country. ... Commercial supply of gas from Gurguri field begins KOHAT, Feb 19: Commercial supply of natural gas from Gurguri oil and gas fields in Karak district has been started through 78 kilometre-long 10 inch-diameter pipeline to Kohat and other parts of the country, it is learnt. ... 32 held in Quetta on eve of Ashura QUETTA, Feb 19: Police and other law enforcing agencies on Saturday raided various areas of the Quetta city and its surrounding areas and arrested 32 persons. ... Civil society fears curbs on media freedom ISLAMABAD, Feb 19: An NGO has expressed the apprehension that the proposed amendments to the Pemra Bill, tabled in the National Assembly, could hamper the freedom of the media. ... Tourism house to be set up ISLAMABAD, Feb 19: The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) will construct its head office in Islamabad which will be named as "Aiwan-i-Siyahat" - tourism house - an official source said. ... Relief goods given to nazim Mansehra PESHAWAR, Feb 19: The World Vision Pakistan and the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) on Saturday handed over 21 tons of relief goods amounting to Rs8 million to the Mansehra nazim for distribution ... 362 killed in NWFP rains, snowfall: UN mission submits report PESHAWAR, Feb 19: A United Nations Joint Assessment Mission in its report compiled on the completion of its three-day survey of the damages caused by the recent rains ... Teachers not paid salary for three months SWABI, Feb 19: About 600 male and female teachers of primary schools who were appointed about three month back could not receive salary due to the apathy of staff concerned. ... Funds pledged for formal education in Madressahs PESHAWAR, Feb 19: The NWFP government would provide Rs60 million funds and other facilities to madressahs in Fata for the provision of formal education to their students. ... Bus accord yet 'another milestone' - Secret channel for Kashmir talks LAHORE, Feb 19: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri said here on Saturday the Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service agreement was a victory for sanity, Pakistan, India and Kashmiri people which no single party could or should claim. ... Two terminals for bus service planned MUZAFFARABAD, Feb 19: A committee constituted by the Azad Kashmir government to make arrangements for smooth operation of the bus service between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar on Saturday toured the route in AJK amid heavy rain and snowfall. ... Rs370m released for Mohmand Agency PESHAWAR, Feb 19: The government has released Rs370.146 million under the current Annual Development Programme for the development of Mohmand Agency. ... Sale of Roosevelt hotel delayed ISLAMABAD, Feb 19: The government has "held in abeyance" dis investment process of The Roosevelt hotel owned by the PIA Investment Limited (PIAIL), an associated undertaking of the national flag carrier, documents obtained by Dawn reveal. ... Snow attracts people to Pir Sohawa ISLAMABAD, Feb 19: Chilly winds gripped the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Saturday after the nearby Margalla Hills received the third snowfall of this winter. ... Snowfall hits trade with Afghanistan PESHAWAR, Feb 19: Record snowfall and heavy rains have almost paralysed trade activities between Pakistan and Afghanistan for a couple of weeks, officials said here. ...

© The DAWN Group of Newspapers, 2005