Friday, May 9, 2003, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Vajpayee rules out denuclearisation
New Delhi, May 8
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today turned down Pakistan’s suggestion for denuclearisation of South Asia saying that while Islamabad’s nuclear programme was India-specific, our programme was not focused on Pakistan.

Armitage, Pak discuss Kashmir Pakistani Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali greets U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage at his residence in Islamabad on Thursday. — Reuters photo

Pak yet to finalise envoy to India

Pakistan MPs arrive with peace message

Wagah, May 8 Both the countries should jointly fight the lunatic fringe elements to pave the way for permanent peace in the region,”, was the crisp reply of the parliamentarians /senators of Pakistan who reached India on an eight-day peace mission here today.	Pakistani parliamentarians wave to mediapersons after crossing into India at Wagah on Thursday. — Reuters photo
In video: As diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan are set to be restored, families across the border hope for a reunion. (28k, 56k) Zia never supported ‘Khalistan’ Two Army officers killed in J&K

POSTINGS/TRANSFERS
Mukul Joshi gets back Excise
18 senior IAS officers shuffled
Chandigarh, May 8
In less than a month of his indictment in the Panchkula episode, Mr Mukul Joshi was redesignated as Financial Commissioner, Taxation (FCT) as the Punjab Government ordered the transfer and posting of 18 IAS officers in the first administrative reshuffle after Mr Rajan Kashyap took over as Chief Secretary.

GSLV places satellite in orbit
In Graphic: GSLV-D2 launch successful

Election of Safidon MLA set aside
Chandigarh, May 8
In just over three years after ruling Indian National Lok Dal candidate Ram Phal Kundu was declared elected from the Safidon Assembly Constituency, Mr Justice Viney Mittal of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today ordered the setting aside of his elections. 

Verma sworn in Punjab Governor
Chandigarh, May 8
Justice Om Prakash Verma was today sworn in as the Governor of Punjab and the Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh. He is the 30th Governor of Punjab since Independence. He succeeds Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), who demitted office, in the forenoon.

Kokje is HP’s 21st Governor
Shimla, May 8
Justice Vishnu Sadashiv Kokje was sworn in as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh at a simple but impressive ceremony at Raj Bhavan, here today. The Chief Justice, of Himachal High Court Mr Justice Vinod Kumar Gupta, administered the oath of office and secrecy.