HC stays own order on appointments
Chautala’s ‘judicial victory’ short-lived
Chandigarh, February 17
Mr Om Prakash Chautala’s “judicial victory” over the Election Commission (EC) over the issue of appointments proved to be short-lived. The Punjab and Haryana High Court today stayed the operation of its order of February 14, vide which it had held that the ban imposed by the EC on appointments “must be deemed to have outlived its operative effect” after the votes were cast on February 3.

Counting of votes in Haryana on Feb 23
  Haryana page: Election Commission sending observer for defence personnel

India asks Pak for list of 81 illegal immigrants
Lahore/Islamabad, February 17
Pakistan today informed India that it had 81 illegal imigrants from Punjab who were arrested while they were pushed back from Iran, while New Delhi asked for a list of the names of these 81 Punjabis and urged Pakistan to quickly grant them visas to travel to their homeland.

Editorial: Destination peace
World page: US welcomes Indo-Pak pact

Punjab page: Straw hails breakthrough in Indo-Pak talks (28k, 56k) External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh with wife of PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan during a dinner hosted by Pakistani External Affairs Minister Khursheed M. Kasuri (not in the picture) in Islamabad on Wednesday. — PTI photo

Lahore Diary
Why Pak is not granting MFN status to India?
William Shakespeare was not a diplomat and that is why he had said: “What is there in a name? A rose will smell as sweet if called by any other name.” 

No to marriage after ceremony
Charkhi Dadri (Bhiwani), February 17
Pooja, a simple and homely girl of the township, had never expected such a drastic situation in her life. 

Charkhi Dadri’s Pooja who sent dowry-hungry baraat packing

Sinha shifted, Dubey to be new Home Secretary
Chandigarh, February 17
The Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, today removed Mr S.K. Sinha, Principal Secretary, from the coveted Home Department and replaced him with Mr A.K. Dubey, who was holding the charge as Financial Commissioner (Cooperation).

Prabir released
Chandigarh, February 17
Teenaged Prabir Singh, a Plus two student and son of a rice-sheller owner, who was kidnapped at gun point from Majitha Road in Amritsar on February 8, has been released by his captors, police sources said tonight.

Ahmedabad Test goes to Kolkata?
Pakistan tour may be deferred by seven days
Detail on Sports page

Father Mark’s grave vandalised, body found elsewhere Gumtala (Amritsar), February 17 The coffin of Father Mark Barnes, a Christian missionary, which was found missing under mysterious circumstances, a few hours after his burial at St Marry’s School premises today, was found at the secluded cemetery here today evening by his supporters. Edit page: Shooting priest The coffin of Father Mark, which was found missing from St Mary’s School premises was later found at a Gumtala cemetery.  — Photo by Rajiv Sharma