Border strife in Afghanistan shows wider tensions

SIRKANAY, Afghanistan - On a mountain trail toward the border with Pakistan, the explosions became louder, more constant and finally visible as puffs of smoke on distant peaks and rising from valleys.

Never allowed US to use Pak airbases for drone strikes: PM Gilani

The unmanned aircraft regularly carry out missile strikes in Pakistan's tribal regions despite public opposition by Pakistani leaders.

Rehman Malik asks world to join hands against terrorism

Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Sunday said that terrorists were common enemies of humanity and world community should join hands to eliminate this menace.

No mid-term polls as it’s time for local govt elections : PM Gilani

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Sunday rejected Opposition’s call for mid-term polls and said it was time for local government elections in the country.Talking to newsmen here, he said,

Pakistan energy crisis shrinking the textile trade

FAISALABAD, Pakistan — Spinning yarn into cloth used to be a path to fortune in Pakistan, but a story of decline encapsulates how far a crippling energy crisis and rocketing inflation are suffocating the economy.

Gunmen take Swiss couple to Pakistani tribal area

Gunmen who kidnapped two Swiss tourists in a volatile southwestern Pakistani province have taken them to a neighboring tribal area that was once a Taliban stronghold, a senior government official said Sunday.

3 policemen killed in Taliban attack on Pakistan check post

Three policemen have been killed and one wounded in a Taliban attack on a police check post in northwest Pakistan.

Key Taliban leader arrested in Pakistan

Pakistani authorities have arrested a key Taliban leader, Zia-ur-Rahman, in capital Islamabad, local TV channels reported on Sunday.

US shifts supply routes from Pakistan: report ‎

The US military is expanding its Central Asian supply routes to the war in Afghanistan, fearing that the routes going through Pakistan could be endangered by deteriorating US-Pakistani relations, The Washington Post reported.

Militants in northwestern Pakistan kill 3 police

Police say militants attacked a police checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan, killing three police officers and wounding one.

2,000-year-old objects found in Pakistan's Taxila

About 200 objects dating back to the first century AD have been found during excavations near Pakistan's ancient site of Taxila.

Pakistan gives two sets of dates to India

Pakistan has proposed two sets of dates - July 17-18 and July 25-26 - for the meeting of Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers in New Delhi, a media report said Saturday.

Nawaz Sharif says PML-N to become part of grand alliance to rid present order

Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N) Quaid Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Saturday welcomed the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s decision to join the opposition and said the formation of a grand opposition alliance was necessary to “rid the country of the current government”, adding that no hurdle would be allowed to become in the way of ridding the present order.

Shahbaz Sharif says US refusal to evacuate Shahmsi airbase slap on face of Pak

Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif the Chief Minister of Punjab has said that the statement of Americans that they would not evacuate the Shamsi Airbase is like a slap on the face of Pakistanis.

All efforts to be made for brining peace in Afghanistan: PM Gilani

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that Pakistan sincerely desires for peace and stability in Afghanistan and will extend all possible support to the Afghan led reconciliation peace process. He assured that Pakistan is committed to create conducive environment for meaningful negotiations leading to peace and stability in Afghanistan.

JI Shoora expresses solidarity with Kashmiris, Palestinians

The Central Shoora of the Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan has expressed complete solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiri people and demanded immediate withdrawal of the Indian occupation troops from Held Kashmir.

Afghan transit facility not paying any money to Pak, NA body informed

The meeting of Standing Committee of States and Frontier Regions held in National Assembly. The officials informed the committee that the Afghan transit facility is not providing any economic benefit to Pakistan.

Dr Samar Mubarik terms power crisis as dangerous for country

Dr Samar Mubarik Mand the atomic scientist and member science and technology wing of the planning commission has said that the shortfall of electricity and gas is very dangerous for the country. He said that Pakistan is facing loss of 300 billion rupees annually and four lack people are becoming jobless annually.

ATC reject rangers’ personnel plea to shift case in lower court

The Anti-Terrorist Court Judge Bashir Ahmed Khosa rejected the applications of Rangers personnel, involved in the Sarfraz Shah murder case here on Saturday.

Attack in wedding ceremony claim 4 lives in Mangochr

At least four persons were killed and four others were critically injured in the result of the firing of unidentified persons in a marriage ceremony here in Mangochar area of Balochistan.

Donkey cart, motorbike collision claim four lives in Burewala

At least three persons were killed and one critically injured in the result of the collision between donkey cart and motorbike here in Burewala on Saturday.

US-Pakistan continue meetings under Strategic Dialgoue: State Department

Despite challenges in the relationship, the U.S.  and Pakistani working groups continue to meet regularly under the strategic  dialogue but no dates have been set for plenary session of the dialaogue, the State  Department said.

Swiss gov't confirms 2 citizens kidnapped in Pakistan

GENEVA -  The Swiss Foreign Ministry is confirming that two of its citizens have been kidnapped in Pakistan's southwest Baluchistan province.

President Zardari underscores intelligence sharing with UK

President Asif Ali Zardari in his Saturday’s meeting with British Home Secretary Theresa May, underscored the need for further enhancing intelligence sharing mechanism with the UK to combat militancy and terrorism.

High-level committee to examine minorities’ issues: PM Gilani

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said the government has constituted a high-level committee to examine the functions of Ministry of Minorities which would give recommendations to resolve the problems of minorities.The Committee, he mentioned consists of Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister,

Pakistan desires peace in Afghanistan: PM Gilani

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said Pakistan sincerely desires for peace and stability in Afghanistan and will extend all possible support to an Afghan-led reconciliation peace process.

Govt to take up issue of roads funding with NATO

ISLAMABAD: SAFRON ministry through ministries of finance, defense and foreign affairs would take up the issue with NATO of provision of necessary funding for maintenance of all roads being used for international trade/NATO use.

Pakistan submits its stance over KG dam in WB Court

Islamabad: Pakistan on Saturday has filed its stance over controversial Kishanganga Dam in the World Bank’s arbitration court.

FIA Spokesperson clarifies news regarding transfers, postings of Officers

ISLAMABAD: The Spokesman of the Federal Investigation Agency while commenting on the news item being misinterpreted by some television channels regarding transfers/postings of officers of Federal Investigations Agency has stated that these were normal routine orders; says a press release received here on Saturday.

Pakistan to support Afghan led reconciliation peace process: PM Gilani

Islamabad: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that Pakistan sincerely desires for peace and stability in Afghanistan and will extend all possible support to the Afghan led reconciliation peace process.

CIA operating drone attacks inside Pakistan from Afghan air bases now: Sources

ISLAMABAD: The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is using Afghanistan’s Jalalabad and Bagaram airstrips to stage drone attacks against militants in Pakistan’s border region, according to sources.

Registration in AJK by Pakistani political parties to damage Kashmir cause, Chaudhry Shujaat

ISLAMABAD: Leader PML-Q Chaudhry Shujaat has said on Saturday that registration in Azad Kashmir on part of Pakistani political parties would damage Kashmir cause.

Rangers’ personnel plea for transferring their case to session court rejected

KARACHI: Judge Bashir Ahmad Khoso of Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) has rejected the application for transferring the case of Sarfraz Shah who was killed by Ranger personnel to session court saying in his short order that case will be tried in ATC.

PM stops Naveed Qamar from going to Britain

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minster Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has stopped former member Parliamentary Commission for Implementation of 18th Amendment and Federal Minister for Water & Power Syed Naveed Qamar to go to Britain due to the ongoing energy crisis in the country.

NICL scam: 4 FIA officers transferred to remote areas

LAHORE: Four FIA officers who had conducted investigation into NICL scam along with former DG FIA Zafar Qureshi and arrested Moonis Elahi have been transferred to remote areas, says notification issued by FIA headquarters here Saturday.

Kharotabad commission suggests punitive actions against culprits

ISLAMABAD: The commission probing the killing of five foreigners in Kharotabad has concluded saying that the firing after the lady had raised her hand was a brutal and unlawful for which punitive actions should have been taken.

FIA starts investigation against commissioner, DCO, RPO, CPO and SSP Rawalpindi

ISLAMABAD: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Corruption Cell has started investigation against top slots holders in the district and police administration of Rawalpindi division.

5 killed in southern Yemen in clashes

A Yemeni security official says tribesmen have attacked newly established positions of government troops near the country's second largest city, setting off clashes that killed four soldiers and a civilian.

Iran denies U.S. hikers were mistreated in jail

Iran denied in a statement issued by its U.N. mission on Friday that two U.S. citizens detained on spying charges have been mistreated, saying they had consular contact and a visit from their families.

50 Yemeni troops missing in lawless south

Dozens of Yemeni troops went missing after a battle with al-Qaida-linked militants at a sports stadium in the country's increasingly lawless south, a military official said Saturday, describing a new setback for a weakened regime already facing an array of opponents.

More airstrikes in western Libya: Nato

NATO said Saturday it has begun ramping up its airstrikes on military targets in the western part of Libya, where rebel forces claim a string of advances through territory still largely under Moammar Gadhafi's control.

Iraq killings won't sway troop decision: US envoy

 The Obama administration is still willing to keep thousands of American troops in Iraq next year if requested, despite a series of deadly attacks on soldiers by Shiite militiamen, the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad said Saturday.

'Nothing can be off-limits' in budget: President Obama

President Barack Obama said Saturday that "nothing can be off-limits" in the budget debate — even though Republicans have said tax increases are. The president said every tax break and federal program must come under scrutiny.

Gadhafi threats won't deter NATO mission: Hillary Clinton

 The U.S. and Spain said Saturday they won't let Moammar Gadhafi's threats of retaliatory attacks in Europe deter their mission to protect Libyan civilians and force him to leave power after four decades of often unpredictable and sometimes violent rule.

Thousands rally against Ga. immigration law

 Thousands of marchers stormed the Georgia Capitol on Saturday to protest the state's new immigration law, which they say creates an unwelcome environment for people of color and those in search of a better life.

Zafar Qureshi retaken charge to probe NICL scam

ISLAMABAD: Additional Director General of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Zafar Qureshi Saturday has taken back the charge of investigation to probe National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) financial scam.

Secret agencies lift 2 brothers after release from jail; relatives demand early discharge

KARACHI: The relatives of two missing persons have demanded that both Ajmal Waheed and Osama Waheed should be retrieved form the clutches of secret agencies.