Pakistani Taliban say they have Swiss tourists

The Pakistani Taliban have custody of two kidnapped Swiss tourists and will free them if the U.S. releases a female Pakistani scientist convicted of trying to kill Americans,

Former Intel Chief: Stop Drone Strikes

Former U.S. intelligence chief Dennis Blair said Friday the U.S. should stop its drone campaign in Pakistan, and reconsider the $80 billion a year it spends to fight terrorism.

Gunmen kill Shiite pilgrims in SW Pakistan: police

QUETTA, Pakistan - Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a bus stand in southwestern Pakistan on Friday, killing seven Shiite pilgrims waiting to travel to neighbouring Iran, police said.

President, PM chair meeting of CMs, Governors; notion of clash of institutions dispelled

A meeting of the Chief Ministers and Governors of provinces held here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday afternoon dispelled the notion propagated by some of the clash of institutions and expressed satisfaction that there was no danger of any clash among institutions.

ECNEC approves 15 projects worth Rs.154.52 billion

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 15 projects of national importance costing Rs. 154.52 billion.  The committee which was held here on Friday with Federal Minister for Finance, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh in the chair has approved 15 projects including seven from Energy sector, four from Transport and Communications and one from Agriculture, Food, Industry, Commerce, Water Resources, Science and Technology and Information Technology sectors each.

During the course of the discussion on proposed projects in the  meeting, the Finance Minister asked the participants and attendants to devise methods and ways to move ahead without giving an impression that certain violation of any institutions norm is being committed from our part.

Balochistan CM Nawab Raisani’s nephew killed in blast

Mir Akmal Raisani, nephew of Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Mohamnad Aslam Raisani, was killed and 23 others, including 12 police officials, were injured in an explosion followed by severe firing with automatic weapons  here in a football ground on Friday evening.

Hafeez Sheikh for enhancing trade with international community

Federal Minister for Finance, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said that trade volume with the rest of the world should be increased in order to strengthen country’s economy.

US offers help in fight against target killing in Karachi

KARACHI: US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter has offered cooperation to stem target killing incidents in the metropolis.

Supreme Court orders for restoration of Sohail Ahmad to post of secretary establishment within 7 days

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) has cancelled notification in regard to making Sohail Ahmad as OSD and ordered for his restoration to the post of secretary establishment within a week.

Chief Executives of provinces discuss overall situation of country

ISLAMABAD: A meeting of Chief Ministers and Governors of the provinces was held at Aiwan-e-Sadr here on Friday on to discuss overall political situation and problems faced by the country.

Sharif brothers out to take political mileage by fanning misperceptions: Chaudhry Shujat

ISLAMABAD: PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujat Hussain has said Sharif brothers want to take political mileage by fanning misperceptions between government and judiciary.

My statement about Raiwind wrongly interpreted, “I owe it being Religious center”, says Rehman Malik

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister & Senator Rehman Malik has clarified his statement which was published on Friday’s papers regarding Raiwind, he said, “Raiwind is a religious centre, I owe it by my heart.”

Sohail Ahmad notification regarding OSD to be considered suspended if he is not appointed on some appropriate post within 7 days : Supreme Court

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court has ordered that Sohail Ahmad be appointed on some appropriate post within 7 days otherwise the notification about making him OSD will be considered suspended.

Chaudhry Shujat terms Raiwind centre of brotherhood

ISLAMABAD: President Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhry Shujat Hussain has said that Tableeghi Jamaat’s Raiwind Markaz is not a centre of terrorism, in-fact message of peace and tolerance is spread through Raiwind Markaz, this is why it is recognized as a great religious seminary of the world.

JI threatens to launch mass protest against new FATA laws

ISLAMABAD: Ameer Jamat-e-Islami Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter, Senator Professor Ibrahim has said President Asif Ali Zardari by signing the FATA and PATA Regulations actually issued the decree of death of 15 million people living in the federally and provincially administered tribal areas.

PM orders removal of all cultural attaches

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday ordered to sack all cultural attaches posted abroad who showed bad performance.

PM Gilani launches investor-focused Online Work Visa Application for investors

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yosuf Raza Gillani launched an investor-focused and interactive Online Work Visa Application for the investors to get the work visa without delays and documentations.

Prices of high-octane, light diesel to hike from 1 August

ISLAMABAD: The prices of high-octane and light diesel will be raised from August 1, while prices of three other petroleum items will remain same, as government will provide cross subsidy of Rs. 90 million.

PM Gilani possesses an MBBS degree in corruption: Ahsan Iqbal

ISLAMABAD: PML-N leader, Ahsan Iqbal has said that since PM Yousaf Raza Gilani possessed an ‘MBBS degree of corruption’, he might as well as avoid telling others about their mandates.

Pakistan greatly values its brotherly relations with Qatar: President

ISLAMABAD: A Qatari delegation headed by Sheikh Ali Bin Abdullah Bin Thani, member of Royal family of Qatar, called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Aiwan-e-Sadr Friday afternoon.

CM Balochistan calls on the President

Islamabad: Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani Friday called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

PM Gilani stresses BOI to give special attention to bridge gap

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has directed the board of Investment to bring in his notice immediately any hindrance in the process of new investment whether public or private.

Bomb kills nephew of Balochistan’s CM in Mastung

MASTUNG: A remote-controlled bomb killed a nephew of Balochistan’s Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani and left over 25 wounded in Mastung district on Friday, police said.