02 March 2005 Wednesday 20 Muharram 1426 Changes in NA rules under study ISLAMABAD, March 1: The report of the special committee on the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, to be finalized by Thursday, may raise questions about the status of Opposition Leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman ... Sami urged to lead MMA in Frontier PESHAWAR, March 1: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal has requested its estranged leader Maulana Samiul Haq and his followers to lead the six-party alliance in the Frontier and "work for the unity of Ummah". ... MMA to give strike call against fuel price ISLAMABAD March 1: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) has strongly condemned recent increase in the prices of petroleum products and decided to give a call for country-wide wheel-jam strike on March 10 after consulting other opposition parties. ... PML-N slates fresh hike in oil prices ISLAMABAD, March 1: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has condemned fresh increase in the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene oil and termed it an anti-people decision of the government. ... Khuhro sees no reason for govt to stay on KARACHI, March 1: Leader of the Opposition in Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmad Khuhro said here on Tuesday that the government has lost moral justification to remain in power after certain reservations expressed by Chief Minister Dr Arbab Rahim ... Muttahida distributes relief PESHAWAR, March 1: A three-member delegation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement distributed cash and relief goods among rain-affected people of Lakki Marwat on Tuesday. ... Baloch alliance criticizes Marri Camp action QUETTA, March 1: The four-party Baloch alliance has warned the federal government that continuing violence against the Baloch people will be resisted and that extra-constitutional steps will adversely affect relations between the centre and Balochistan. ... Efforts being made to restart dialogue, says governor QUETTA, March 1: Balochistan Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani said on Tuesday that the government was trying to restart the suspended dialogue process to promote conciliation and resolve the contentious issues of the province. ... Protest march against Kalabagh dam begins SUKKUR, March 1: More than 500 activists of different political parties started a protest march from the Clock Tower here on Tuesday towards Karachi against the Kalabagh dam and greater Thal canal projects ... Military's corporate interests questioned: UK launches project to help reduce poverty ISLAMABAD, March 1: The military and its growing corporate interests are hampering poverty reduction efforts and effectiveness of bureaucracy and judiciary in Pakistan. ... An insight into army's system of promotions ISLAMABAD, March 1: The website of President Gen Pervez Musharraf, www.presidentofpakistan.gov.pk, gives a unique insight into the systems of accountability and promotions within the army ... Press minister, 12 attaches to be posted abroad ISLAMABAD, March 1: The government has appointed a press minister, eight press counsellors and four press attaches for posting in Pakistani missions abroad to improve the country's image, official sources told Dawn on Tuesday. ... Improvement of roads top-most priority: PM ISLAMABAD, March 1: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday said his government gave top priority to improving the infrastructure, especially roads so that the travel time between the cities could be reduced for flow of goods and comfort to the passengers. ... PA session abruptly adjourned amid chaos KARACHI, March 1: The requisitioned session of the Sindh Assembly was on Tuesday abruptly adjourned by Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah for March 14 when there was a chaos and pandemonium in the House. ... PIA allowed to raise Rs20bn loans from open market, NA told ISLAMABAD, March 1: The Minister for Defence, Rao Sikander Iqbal, on Monday informed the National Assembly that the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was allowed to raise loans totalling Rs20 billion from the market against government guarantee. ... Aurangzeb promoted as air marshal ISLAMABAD, March 1: Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Khan has been promoted to the rank of air marshal, says a notification issued by the defence ministry. ... Body being set up to review curriculum, says minister ISLAMABAD, March 1: There has been no revision and review of the national curriculum for the last 18 years, therefore, a national council of curriculum will be set up to take up the issue ... UK pledges $10m to help eradicate polio PESHAWAR, March 1: The United Kingdom has pledged $10 million to Pakistan to help eradicate polio by the end of the current year, UK's international development minister Gareth Thomas said here on Monday. ... Pakistan among countries yet to control polio: WHO DADU, March 1: Polio has been controlled to the extent of 95 per cent throughout the world and the anti-polio campaign is continuing in six affected countries, Pakistan, Egypt, Nigeria, Niger, India and Afghanistan. ... Nato seeks logistic support in Afghanistan ISLAMABAD, March 1: The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) on Tuesday sought logistic support from Pakistan for its forces operating in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf). ... Iranian ships arrive on goodwill visit KARACHI, March 1: Two Iranian navy ships Iris Bandar Abbas and Iris Larak arrived on Monday here at Karachi Port on a five-day goodwill visit to Pakistan. ... Doctor brothers' detention extended KARACHI, March 1: The provincial government has extended the detention of doctor brothers Akmal Waheed and Arshad Waheed till March 31, Additional Advocate-General M. Ahmed Pirzada informed a division bench of the Sindh High Court on Tuesday. ...

© The DAWN Group of Newspapers, 2005