US rejects Pakistan’s demand to vacate Shamsi air base used for drone attacks: Report

The United States is not complying with Pakistan's demands that American personnel abandon the Shamsi air base used by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to stage drone attacks against militants, according to US officials.

US-Pak strategic dialogue postponed ‘indefinitely’

The strategic dialogue between the United States and Pakistan is said to have been postponed indefinitely, in the latest sign of worsening ties between the key ‘allies’ in the ongoing war on terror.

Afghans accuse Pakistan of stoking war on border

At the last military post before the Pakistan border, Afghan district governor Wali Shah explains why the insurgents seem untouchable. "The Pakistan government protects them," he said.

Pak cricket fraternity welcomes ICC's decision of independent cricket governance

Former Pakistan cricketers and cricket administrators have welcomed the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision of ending political interference in the functioning of member boards saying it is a positive sign for the country's future in the sport.

Pakistan reduces petroleum prices

Pakistan has brought down petroleum prices. The price of petrol has been reduced by Rs.3 per litre, diesel by Rs.2.01 and light speed diesel by Rs.1.13, media reports said.

Pakistan-China Business Forum to help expanding land trade: Ambassador Khan

The Pakistan-China Business Forum was held here aimed at to further enhancing economic integration with emphasis on broadening border trade between the two countries.

ISPR rejects US allegations against Pak army

Pakistan rejected the American allegation for not conducting operations against militants.

Supreme Court to ban out of turn promotions in police

Supreme Court taking notice of the shoulder promotions in Punjab police on Thursday announced that an order would be issued after examining the report submitted by the Inspector General (IG) of police regarding the seniority of police officers.

PM Gilani stresses for intelligence sharing among agencies

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has emphasized that vigilance intelligence sharing among law enforcement agencies be enhanced to ensure security of citizens. The Ministry of Interior he stated has significant responsibility in this regard.

No foreign aid needed if loss of govt run institution decreased: Nawaz Sharif

Quaid Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Mian Nawaz Sharif has said that foreign aid would not be needed if loss of government run institutions are decreased and 20 thousand vehicles would be distributed immediately on easy installments to deserved persons under the yellow cab scheme.

Free polls in Kashmir fulfilled our promise: Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo said believe it or not we have fulfilled our promise by holding free and fair elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

MQM applies for opposition benches in NA, Senate

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Thursday submitted applications for Senators and National Assembly members in the respective secretariats to be allocated seats on the opposition benches.

Rehman Malik asks non-registered NGOs to get register in 15 days

Interior Minister Rehman Malik has asked all non-registered NGOs to get themselves registered in fifteen days.

Ilyas Kashmiri involved in Bhatti murder: Report

A report has revealed that allegedly killed chief of Harkatul Jihad Islami in a US drone attack was involved in the killing of Federal Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti.

Political, military leadership on same page for US policies: Maulana Fazlur Rehman

Amir Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that chances should not be provided to government to gain sympathies by targeting the assemblies and political and military leadership is on same board regarding the America policies.

Karachi: Firing kills two, skeleton discovered from a house

KARACHI: Firing in various areas of Karachi killed two, while a skeleton was discovered from Shah Faisal Colony.

Commoners hand kidnapper to police in Attock

ATTOCK: Local people captured a kidnapper and handed him over to police in Tehsil Hazro of District Attock on Thursday.

ANP leader condemns role of FC in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD: Awami National Party (ANP) Leader Haji Adeel Thursday strongly condemned the role Frontier Constabulary (FC) in Balochistan, saying that it created many problems in the province.

CDA announces Rs 23,996.16m budget for FY 2011-12

ISLAMABAD: Chairman, Capital Development Authority (CDA) Imtiaz Inayat Elahi has presented a Rs. 23,996.16 million budget for Fiscal year 2011-2012 here on Thursday.

PM Gilani appoints Khawaja Muhammad Siddiqui Akbar as new federal interior secretary

ISLAMABAD: PM, Yousaf Raza Gilani has appointed Khawaja Muhammad Siddiqui Akbar as the new interior secretary, replacing him with Qamar-uz-Zaman.

Bench, bar cooperation a sine qua non for smooth judicial operations at various hierarchies: CJP Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has said the cooperation between Bench and the Bar is a sine quo non for smooth judicial operations at various hierarchies.

Bureaucracy should refrain from politics, officers will have to play role of public servants: PM Gilani

LAHORE: Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani has said to achieve the target of good governance, bureaucracy would has to become the public servant in real sense by refraining themselves form politics. They have an important role in pulling out the country from the current crises.

Mid-term polls unavoidable: Imran Khan

KARACHI: The Chairman Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has said that the mid-term elections have become imperative because lame and crippled democracy has failed to resolve the peoples’ problems at all.

Armed conflict between two groups in Godhra Camp kills two, injures 8

KARACHI: Armed conflict between two groups in the New Karachi area has resulted in two, including a woman killed, while more than 8 were injured.

Blast in Peshawar leaves 2 dead, 4 hurt

PESHAWAR: At least two persons were killed and thirteen others were injured in a low intensity explosion which took place at Shoba Chowk in Peshawar late on Thursday.

Parliamentary Commission on implementation of 18th amendment dissolved

ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary Commission on implementation of 18th amendment has been dissolved following the completion of devolution of 17 ministries to provinces.

Economic Coordination Committee approves Rs 2 billion Ramadan relief package

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet Thursday approved Ramadan Relief Package envisaging subsidy up to Rs2 billion to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential food items to people during the holy month.

Tribals to support Pak army in operation against Taliban

Elders in a restive tribal region in northwest Pakistan will support the army in launching an operation against Taliban militants, a top military commander said today.Lt Gen Asif Yasin Malik,

MQM, old friends of PPP: PM Yousuf Raza Gilani

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Thursday that MQM is an old friend of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and this attachment will continue.

David Miliband calls on President Zardari, bilateral relations discussed

Former British Secretary of State under Labour Government David Miliband called on President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday and discussed Pakistan-UK bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest.

Institutions should respond to needs of modern era: PM Gilani

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Thursday that the state and its institutions would have to respond to the needs of modern era.

President Zardari calls for enhanced UK-Pakistan partnership in trade and investment

President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday said Britain and Pakistan need to work closely to further enhance their partnership in diverse areas mainly in trade,

PM Gilani stresses for enhanced intelligence sharing among law enforcement agencies

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday emphasized that vigilance and intelligence sharing among law enforcement agencies be enhanced to ensure security of citizens.

Greater responsibility on provinces after devolution: Mian Raza Rabbani

The provinces have been given a great responsibility of enhancing their capacity, effectiveness and transparency of governance after the devolution of 17 ministries and their attached departments to them.

Pakistan encourages exchanges between political parties: President Zardari

President Asif Ali Zardari highlighting the importance of Pak-China relations said Pakistan will continue to encourage exchanges between its political parties and the Communist Party of China (CPC) to further enhance and strengthen these friendly ties.

Misunderstanding with MQM to be removed: Rehman Malik

Minister for Interior A. Rehman Malik on Thursday said that difference of opinion is ingredient of politics and misunderstanding if any with MQM would be removed.Talking to media men, he said “difference of opinion is ingredient of politics as well as democracy.

Turkish anti-piracy ships to visit Karachi from July 1

Turkish Maritime Task Group (TMTG), that is conducting anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, will visit Karachi from July 1-4. The TMTG is providing naval escorts to Turkish and non-Turkish flagged vessels passing through the Gulf of Aden, with an aim to facilitate international efforts at providing protection to merchant vessels.

Clegg callls on President Zardari, bilateral relations discussed

British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg called on President Asif Ali Zardari, Thursday and discussed in detail the progress in bilateral relations, regional situation, prospects of expanding Pak-UK trade and business;