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on the record:

Earthquake has brought Pakistan and Iran closer

ISLAMABAD: The earthquake has brought Pakistan and Iran closer to each other and the spirit of support, as neighbours, would further strengthen the relations, said Zobaida Jalal, the federal minister for social welfare and special education, on Thursday. Talking to an Iranian delegation led by Nouhali Farajizdeh Yengejeh, the second secretary of the Iranian embassy, Zobaida said the ministry had taken up the Ashiyana project in Hattiyan (Attock) for the victims’ rehabilitation. She said support was needed in technical areas, including psychotherapy, trauma management, skill development and training and capacity building of teachers, volunteers and civil society organisations, which were working for the rehabilitation. nni

Current NA has performed well over past three years

ISLAMABAD: The current National Assembly is the longest serving and the best performing legislative body in the past 28 years, said Dr Sher Afgan Khan Niazi, the parliamentary affairs minister. Talking on a television channel, Dr Afgan said in the last year the National Assembly passed 18 Acts of Parliament, answered 2,101 questions and 127 adjournment motions were articulated during the third year. Additionally, 71 privilege motions were answered, he said. He said the assembly had sent 38 bills to the Senate after passing them and many were in progress. He said the transfer of powers would be held in a smooth manner following the elections in 2007. app

Khalabat township land dispute should be resolved

ISLAMABAD: The Khalabat township land dispute should be resolved by peaceful means, said Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli, the information minister, on Thursday. Speaking to the land affected people in front of Parliament House, Anisa said their problem would be taken to the appropriate level for its amicable resolution. “This is a provincial problem. We will protect the rights of the affected people and no one will be allowed to grab their land,” she added. She said the issue would be raised in the upcoming National Assembly session. She assured them that their issue would also be taken up in the federal cabinet meeting. She said the government was committed to protecting the rights of the citizens and no one would be allowed to violate people’s rights. app

MMA will not become target for any conspiracy

PESHAWAR: Unknown forces have fanned differences within the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), but the alliance will foil these conspiracies because the religious groupings have suffered in the local body polls, said Qazi Hussain Ahmed, the MMA president, on Thursday. Speaking at the Dastarbandi ceremony in Markaz-e-Islami, Fazl said the MMA had realised that certain elements were plotting to weaken the coalition. He said the MMA would not become target of any conspiracy and the central leadership would sit together and narrow down the internal differences. He said all the religious parties, including the Jamaat-e-Islami and the JUI-F, would struggle against the anti-Islam forces. He said the rulers were out to please the US by enacting variety of laws against seminaries. online

Musharraf not eligible to contest election until 2009

ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf is not eligible to contest presidential election until 2009, said Zafar Iqbal Jhagra, the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) secretary general, on Thursday. “The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will never accept Musharraf as president with or without uniform,” he added. He said ruling parties members want Musharraf to stay as president after 2007 because if he would quit they would not stay in the government. He said the 17 Amendment was the root cause of the disorder. “The country will see a big political change soon,” he added. He said if the government established relief commission under the parliament act, the opposition would also join hands with them in the victims’ rehabilitation. online

Artists will perform in London to raise funds for survivors

ISLAMABAD: A music concert will be held on December 13 at the Royal Albert Hall, London, for the assistance and rehabilitation of the quake victims, said Dr Maleeha Lodhi, the Pakistan’s high commissioner to the UK. According to the BBC, Maleeha said the Pakistani community would pay for the expenses of transport and lodging of the artists who were coming to perform. She said the Pakistani community had taken the responsibility to organise the concert. Renowned singers and artists would perform in the concert to show solidarity with the quake victims, she said. app

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