DINA for the issue of April 1, 2013

	Monday 1st April 2013 | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 19, 1434
The DAWN Internet News Alert (DINA) is a free daily news service from Pakistan’s largest English language newspaper, the Daily DAWN.
Over 10,000 submit nomination papers: Scrutiny fears keep many out of poll fray By Iftikhar A. Khan ISLAMABAD, March 31: The fear of strict scrutiny of nomination papers appears to have kept thousands of aspiring candidates away from the electoral arena with the number dropping to about two-thirds of those who had filed nomination papers in the previous general elections held in 2008.	For suggestions and comments: Email: webmaster@dawn.com Website: http://dawn.com Fax: +92(21) 35693995
Two tribal women, Badam Zari and Nusrat Begum, out to make history By Anwarullah Khan and Haleem Asad KHAR/TIMERGARA, March 31: Two women, one from Bajaur tribal agency and the other from Lower Dir district, made history on Sunday when they became the first tribal women to file nomination papers to contest elections for National Assembly. Election Commission officials told Dawn that 40-year-old Badam Zari, wife of Sultan Khan, filed papers for NA-44, Bajaur, on Sunday. Bajaur has two seats of the lower house of parliament.
Two killed in bomb attack on Bannu motorcade By Abdul Salam BANNU, March 31: Two people died and seven others were wounded, among them an election candidate, in a bomb attack on a motorcade in the Janikhel area of Bannu on Sunday, police said. Adnan Wazir, a former member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly who is running as an independent candidate in the May 11 elections from the PK-72 constituency, was proceeding to the Wali Noor area along with supporters to address a rally when a remote-controlled explosive device ripped through his convoy comprising dozens of vehicles.
Petroleum prices reduced By Khaleeq Kiani ISLAMABAD, March 31: After approval by the government, the oil companies on Sunday notified a nominal reduction in prices of petrol and diesel by 77 paisa and 62 paisa per litre respectively. The new prices became effective from Sunday midnight. The ex-depot price of petrol (motor gasoline) was fixed at Rs102.30 per litre, down by 77 paisa per litre from Rs103.07 and that of high speed diesel (HSD) at Rs108.59 per litre, down by 62 paisa per unit from Rs109.21.
JUI-F to protect rights of workers, peasants: Fazl By Khalid Hasnain LAHORE, March 31: Vowing to protect rights of workers and landless peasants as pledged in its manifesto, the JUI-F organised an impressive political show at Minar-i-Pakistan on Sunday. “We have brought a manifesto of Islam that guarantees rights of workers and haris,” the chief of the party, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, said at what was termed “Islam Zindabad Conference”.
Nadra develops $15m software for voters abroad By Ikram Junaidi ISLAMABAD, March 31: In compliance with an order of the Supreme Court, the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has devised a software to help 4.5 million overseas Pakistanis to cast their votes in the coming general elections. The $1.5 million software will help overseas Pakistanis in 15 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia, UAE, France and Australia, to vote at 150 polling stations. However, approval of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be required to prepare required legislation.
BJP upgrades Modi to national politics By Our Correspondent NEW DELHI, March 31: India’s Bharatiya Janata Party elevated Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to its apex strategy team on Sunday to win next year’s general elections, but internal squabbles and resistance from allies could hamper his bid to become the opposition’s prime ministerial candidate. The 62-year-old Modi is the only serving chief minister to be included in the Parliamentary Board by BJP President Rajnath Singh, who announced his new 76-member team ahead of the elections due by May next year.
Satirist questioned over Morsi ‘insult’ CAIRO, March 31: Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef was released on bail on Sunday after nearly five hours of questioning over alleged insults to the president and religion, highlighting concerns over freedom of expression in post-revolt Egypt. Mr Youssef, whose weekly programme Albernameg (The Show) has pushed the boundaries of local television with its merciless critique of those in power, was ordered to pay about $2,200 pending investigation into the complaints, judicial sources said.
Karzai meets Qatar Amir DOHA, March 31: Afghan President Hamid Karzai held talks on Sunday with amir of Qatar during a visit to discuss opening of a Taliban office in the Gulf state as a prelude to a possible peace deal with the militants. Mr Karzai discussed “issues of mutual interest” with Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, state news agency QNA said.
Model curriculum for madressahs combines religion and science By Anwar Iqbal WASHINGTON, March 31: Pakistani religious scholars and US experts have developed a model curriculum for Pakistan’s madressahs, combining religious studies with physical and social sciences. International Centre for Religion and Diplomacy, which initiated the project, says the model is based on best educational practices from throughout the Muslim world.
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