PNCA organizes National Exhibition of Calligraphy

A National Exhibition of Calligraphy organized by Pakistan National Council of the Arts began at National Art Gallery Islamabad on Friday. The event, which is a regular annual feature of PNCA in the last week of Ramzan every year, is aimed at promoting and projecting this fine art form.

Swat: attack on mosque foiled

An attempt of a suicide attack on a mosque was foiled as the people of Aman Lashkar killed attacker here on Friday.

Pakistan values ties with Azerbaijan, says Naek

Chairman Senate, Farooq H. Naek has said that Pakistan greatly values its close brotherly relations with Azerbaijan which is based on historical, cultural and religious commonality.

Violent incidents claim 5 lives in Swat

At least five people including a woman have been shot dead in separate incidents of violence in scenic Swat valley on Friday, police said. 

The police said that a man killed his daughter, Samina, and Muhammad Akram with the help of his sons in the name of honor in Kalam. 

In another incident, unidentified assailants killed three people in Bahrain town of Swat. The victims were identified as Khush Rang, Sanaullah and Mohdam Ayaz. 

Salman Taseer’s son abducted from Lahore

LAHORE: Sahahbaz Taseer, son of slain ex-governor Punjab Salman Taseer has been abducted from Lahore’s Gulburg area on Friday.

According to initial Reports, son of Taseer was traveling with his friend when four armed men abducted them on gunpoint and later released Shahbaz’s friend.

FIR of Shahbaz Taseer’s abduction registered

LAHORE: Police have registered an FIR into abduction of Shahbaz Taseer, son of the late governor of Punjab Salman Taseer at Gulberg police station under the registration no 1036/11. According to media reports, police have registered the case on the complaint of Ayesha, aunt of the abductee.

Khosa terms Taseer’s abduction failure of Punjab govt

LAHORE: Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, Friday, expressed serious concerns over the law and order situation in the province and termed the abduction of Shahbaz Taseer, son of the late governor of Punjab Salman Taseer, reflective of the poor state of law and order in the province.

CJP sends letter to President pointing out 7 charges of corruption, irregularities against AGP

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has written a letter to President Asif Ali Zardari in connection with appointment of Buland Akhtar Rana as Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) pointing out 7 allegations of corruption and irregularities against him.

HRCP condemns abduction of Taseer

LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed alarm at the abduction of Shahbaz Taseer, son of assassinated Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, and called upon the government to ensure his early and safe recovery.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Commission said: “HRCP is alarmed by the abduction of Shahbaz Taseer, which highlights the government’s inability to afford security and protection even to those known to be at high risk.”

Civil bureaucracy holds key to improve lot of common man, changing destiny of nation: PM Gilani

ISLAMABAD: PM, Yousaf Raza Goilani has said that the leadership in the civil bureaucracy held the key to improving the lot of the common man and changing the destiny of this Nation.

PM giving bad name to Multan: Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Opposition leader in National Assembly Ch Nisar Ali Khan has expressed his sorrow over the bad reputation PM has caused to his own hometown through picking corrupt persons (for key posts) from the city which is otherwise known as home to Sufis and saints.

In a press release issued here Friday, the opposition leader said that it was not the fault of Multan City,

Quetta shuts down to mark 5th death anniversary of Nawab Akbar Bugti

QUETTA: The Fifth death anniversary of Nawab Akbar Bugti was observed as a black day in Balochistan on Friday.

A shutter-down strike is being observed in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan on the call of baloch nationalists parties. Tight security arrangements have been and contingents of police,

CJ seeks early resolution of Karachi issue

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Friday expressed grave concerns over uncontrolled volatile situation in Karachi, saying the governmental apparatus seemed to have broken down in the city to contain violence.

President urges ADB to start financing Diamer Bhasha Dam

LAHORE: Director General Health services Dr Aslma ch has said that the dengue situation of Punjab is under control, while the diagnosis and treatment facilities are provided free of cost to everyone with out any discrimination.

Ammonium nitrate smuggling from Pak of concern: US General

WASHINGTON: A top American general in Afghanistan has expressed serious concern over the continued smuggling of ammonium nitrate, a key ingredient for making bombs, from Pakistan into the strife-torn country.

Complete independence of Palestine Abbas to take up issue at UN on September 28: Ambassador

ISLAMABAD: Palestinian Ambassador to Pakistan Hazem Hussain Abu Shanab Friday said that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas would take the issue of independent Palestine to the United Nation on September 28.

World should remember sacrifices of Pakistan: Farzana Raja

BEIJING: Federal Minister and Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Madame Farzana Raja met Chinese vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin here in Beijing and discussed avenues of bilateral cooperation in social sector.

President, PM directs IG Punjab to recover abducted Shahbaz Taseer

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday telephoned the widow of former governor Punjab Salman Taseer and said all out efforts would be made to recover her kidnapped son.

Senator Abidi denies having issued statement against PTCL

ISLAMABAD: PPP Central leader Senator Faisal Raza Abidi has strongly condemned statements published in some section of media quoting a news agency (not Online), that he (Abidi) had given any statement against PTCL or any individual.

The senator said the PTCL was the country’s leading telecom company and doing a great work.

Monsoon rains trigger floods, kill 33 in Pakistan

Flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains swept through a village in northwestern Pakistan, killing 33 people and leaving dozens others missing, disaster management officials said Friday.

Punjab Governor's son Shahbaz Taseer is kidnapped in Lahore

Lahore:  Shahbaz Taseer, son of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer - who was killed for opposing Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws - was today abducted by four gunmen near his office here.

Pakistan says suspected US drone down near border

A spokesman for Pakistan's paramilitary force says a suspected U.S. surveillance drone has crashed in a military area near the Afghan border.

But NATO says it has no report of such an incident.

Libyan Embassy in Pakistan raises rebel flag

The Libyan Embassy in Pakistan has raised the rebel flag above its compound in Islamabad following the fall of Moammar Gadhafi's 42-year autocratic regime.

Coalition partners responsible for Karachi violence: Shahbaz Sharif

Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif has said that the coalition partners are responsible for worsen situation of Karachi and peace cannot be restored till the punishment to the of miscreants who are killing innocent citizens.

Bomb Disposal Squad declares Supreme Court as safe zone after bomb threat

The Supreme Court premises have been declared safe zone by the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) after checking the grounds for an explosive device on Thursday.

Sectarian, ethnic, political elements, extortionists, drug & land mafia behind recent incidents of violence in Karachi: Rehman Malik

Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that sectarian, ethnic and political elements, extortionists and drug and land mafia are behind the recent incidents of violence in Karachi.

Zardari signs an amendment in Senate (Election) Rules 1975 to reserve four seats for non-Muslims in Senate

President Asif Ali Zardari has signed an amendment in the Senate (Election) Rules 1975 to reserve four seats for the non-Muslims in the Upper House of the Parliament.

MQM assures full cooperation to SC in Karachi violence case

Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has assured the Supreme Court (SC) of rendering full cooperation in the hearing of the suo motu notice case of violence in Karachi.

Removal of Sindh Governor, ousting MQM from ruling alliance essential to bring Karachi situation under control: Munawar Hasan

The Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Syed Munawar Hasan has said that Karachi situation could be improved only by removing the Sindh Governor, forcing the MQM to sit on the opposition benches in the Sindh Assembly, putting behind the bars all law breakers and starting their trial in the law courts. He was replying to questions at the concluding ceremony of the Daura-e-Quran organized by the JI women wing on Thursday.

Decision to start search operation in Karachi was not easy for democratic govet: Chandio

Federal Minister for Law and Justice Maula Bukhsh Chandio has said that to take decision of Karachi search operation for the democratic government was not so easy, adding that the Sindh government step has full backing of the masses.

Talking to media persons at parliament house after participating in the Senate Standing Committee on Privileges, Maula Bukhsh Chandio said that the government is facing no difficulties regarding the judiciary, adding that the judiciary is announcing verdicts independently.

Zardari to leave for three-day China visit on 30th of this month: FO

President Asif Ali Zardari will undertake a three day visit to China from 30th of this month to attend China-Euro-Asia Expo being held in Urumqi.

33 die in Kohistan flood

At least 33 people have been killed in devastating flash floods in Kandiyan Valley of Kohistan.

CM Sindh summons APC today

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has called all-parties conference today (Friday) over law and order situation in Karachi.

SHC accepts Rangers personnel appeals in Sarfaraz murder case

Sindh High Court (SHC) has accepted the pleas of the convicted Rangers’ personnel for the hearing in the Sarfaraz Shah murder and would hear the appeal against the verdict of Anti Terrorism Court (ATC).

Only eight patents plate let were short from 1000 CBS tests in Services Hospital during last 24 hours: Dr Javed

During the last 24 hours Services Hospital has conducted nearly 1000 CBS tests for the preliminary treatment of the dengue virus and after the tests only eight patients plate let were found less than requirement.

Special powers of rangers’ extended for three months in Karachi

Special powers of Rangers have been extended for three more months to deal with the situation in Karachi. Provincial Home Ministry has issued a notification to this effect.

President approves confirmation of seven additional judges of LHC, PHC

President Asif Ali Zardari approved the confirmation of seven additional judges of the Lahore and Peshawar High Courts on Thursday.

Shopping trend starts getting momentum in Sialkot district for Eidul Fitr

The shopping trend has started getting momentum in Sialkot, Daska, Sambrial and Pasror as rush of the families especially women and children is being observed at all the main markets, business points after Traveeh prayers.

National interest dearest, peace in Karachi, a foremost desire: PM Gilani

ISLAMABAD: PM, Yousaf Raza Gilani has expressed that National interest was dearest to government, and peace in Karachi was foremost desire, which necessitated the recent operation.

President signs amendment: Upper house to have one non-Muslim member from each province

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday signed, at a ceremony, amendment in the Senate (Election) Rules 1975 in compliance with provision in the 18th Constitutional Amendment to reserve four seats for the non-Muslims in the Upper House of the Parliament--the Senate of Pakistan.

Sardar Yaqoob Khan sworn in as AJK president

MUZAFFARABAD: Sardar Yaqoob Khan was sworn in as the 8th president of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Media Reports, Chief Justice Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Azam administered oath to Sardar Yaqoob Khan at the AJK Legislative Assembly building.

Military operation affects 25,000 people in Kurram Agency

KURRAM AGENCY: As many as 25000 people were affected during the military operation carried out in Central Kurram Agency said Political Agent (PA) Kurram Shahab Ali and Commandant Militia Colonel Sharjeel.

Pakistan respects Libya’s sovereignty, India should end the atrocities in IHK: FO

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan respects sovereignty and territorial integrity of Libya even in a transition which is being closely monitored, said Foreign Office Spokesperson Tehmina Janjua during her weekly media briefing.

ADB’s Vice President meets Prime Minister

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has appreciated the role of the Asian Development Bank in undertaking the projects in various sectors in Pakistan and expected that this partnership would continue, so critical for improving the quality of life of the people of Pakistan.

India, Pak should learn to live with each other: Hina Rabbani Khar

BEIJING: India and Pakistan should learn to live with each other’s positions and talk so that "issues" between the two countries do not pass on to the next generation, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said.

Army Chief General Kayani arrives in Karachi

KARACHI:Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani arrived in Karachi on Thursday morning.

Bloodiest wave of terrorism in Karachi takes 106 lives

KARACHI: Last week has proven to be the bloodiest week in the history of Karachi, in which 15 persons per day and 106 people in the whole week were killed.

BISP, China to collaborate for emergency relief package to tackle impacts of disasters

BEIJING: Federal Minister and Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Farzana Raja said that China would provide emergency relief package to tackle natural disastrous impacts.

India frees seven Pakistanis

LAHORE: Indian authorities handed over seven Pakistanis to the rangers at Wagah Border Thursday after they completed their sentence in jails.

Khar committed to establishing stable, peaceful relationship with neighbors

BEIJING: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said that “when a new challenge emerges, it only bring China and Pakistan more closer.