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Posted on 11/02/2001 1:55:34 AM PST by JohnHuang2

KARACHI, Pakistan, Nov 02, 2001 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- Pakistan's largest newspaper evacuated some of its editorial offices Friday after a letter received last week tested positive for anthrax, the newspaper and doctors said.

A reporter at the Daily Jang, an Urdu-language newspaper, opened a letter containing white powder on Oct. 23, the newspaper said. The reporter thought the letter was a press release.

The tainted letter was tested at the Agha Khan University Hospital in Karachi, one of the country's leading medical facilities. Some of the paper's editorial offices were evacuated Friday after the tests came back positive, said Dr. Mohammed Tasleem, a senior doctor at the hospital.

The reporter and dozens of other staff members were immediately put on antibiotics as a precaution, and none have shown signs of contracting anthrax, said Dr. Syed Mohammed Shahid, a medical adviser to the newspaper.

The newspaper has received a number of letters containing white powder since the anthrax scare surfaced following the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States. All of the other letters tested negative for anthrax.

The Daily Jang has been generally supportive of President Pervez Musharraf, who has sided with the United States in its war against Afghanistan's ruling Taliban movement and accused terrorist Osama bin Laden. Some Pakistanis have opposed Musharraf's policies.

U.S. authorities have confirmed 16 cases of anthrax and four deaths over the past month in the United States.

By NADEEM AFZAL Associated Press Writer

Copyright 2001 Associated Press, All rights reserved

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