Tuesday, May 6, 2003, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Jamali confers with parties
To announce confidence-building
measures shortly
Islamabad, May 5
Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali tonight held a meeting with leaders of major political parties seeking to build a consensus on the peace initiative with India as Islamabad virtually backed New Delhi's stand that careful preparations were needed for summit-level talks.

Pakistani Information Minister Sheikh Rashid (left) talks with Shah Ahmed Noorani and other Opposition leaders Fazalyr Rehman (right) and Qazi Hussein Ahmed (second from left) in Peshawar on Monday. Pakistani Premier Zafarullah Khan Jamali is seeking a consensus from his opponents on the talks with India. — AP/PTI photo

Decision soon on envoy to Pak
New Delhi, May 5
The Vajpayee government will "soon" decide on its next High Commissioner to Islamabad, though it may take weeks for the envoy to actually take over because of time-consuming diplomatic procedures.

One dead, 35 hurt in Doda blast
Jammu, May 5
One person, Bipan Lal, was killed and 35 persons were injured due to a powerful explosion at the general bus stand in Doda town this morning, even as NC leader Ghulam Ahmad Salora was injured in a blast at Ganderbal. Five of the critically injured persons, including a woman, have been flown here from Doda for treatment in the medical college.

J&K page Peace process to be time-consuming: Mufti Peace moves worry hawks J&K to get 265.5 cr for security One of the persons injured in an explosion at Doda being shifted to Jammu Medical College Hospital. — Photo Sarabjit Singh

Book VHP leaders under POTA, demands Opposition
New Delhi, May 5
The issue of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Praveen Togadia distributing trishuls during rallies came up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha today with the Congress-led Opposition demanding the imposition of Prevention of Terrorist Act (POTA) against the party leaders.

Editorial: Friendly fire

Notices to backdoor appointees
Jammu, May 5
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has issued notices to 129 government servants for allegedly getting back-door appointments by the previous National Conference government.

Women’s Bill to be introduced in Parliament today
New Delhi, May 5
The Women’s Reservation Bill will be re-introduced by the government tomorrow in the Lok Sabha in its original form, BJP spokesman V.K. Malhotra said here today. Mr Malhotra said the Congress and the CPM had also wanted the Bill to be brought in its original form and had in a letter to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee expressed support to it.

• Cong to support