ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday reiterated the government’s resolve to take along all political parties for the end of dictatorship and said the nation should strive for making the country a land of peace and justice.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minster Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that in prevailing situation, the internal unity is required far more than ever and urged the nation to unitedly work for the integrity and solidarity of the country.

ISLAMABAD : President Pervez Musharraf urged political stability and a reconciliatory approach to tackle some of the most serious challenges the country was facing since its birth, 61 years ago. “Pakistan needs political stability and without that we cannot confront either terrorism nor the nose-diving economy,” President Musharraf had said at the Azadi Show - Independence at the Aiwan-e-Sadr late Wednesday night.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday reiterated the government’s resolve to take along all political parties for the end of dictatorship and said the nation should strive for making the country a land of peace and justice. “Political forces should join hands together so that the doors for the return of dictatorship get closed, provinces get full autonomy and people be made the real source of power,” the Prime Minister said at the Independence Day flag-hoisting ceremony held at Convention Centre here.

ISLAMABAD : President Pervez Musharraf has stressed need for tolerance and forbearance for the successful working of democracy and urged the nation to strive together for making the country a truly modern, dynamic, progressive and democratic Islamic state. “We must let petty differences be subordinated to higher values of life and strive together for making Pakistan a truly modern, dynamic, progressive and democratic Islamic state in accordance with the ideals of our founder,” President Musharraf said in his message to the nation on the country’s Independence Day.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, felicitating his Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan Singh on their Independence Day falling on August 15, has reiterated his government’s commitment to improve relations with India. “It is a matter of great pleasure for me to convey my warm felicitations to you and the people of India on the occasion of the Independence Day of India”, Prime Minister Gilani said in message addressed to Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

NEW DELHI : Hoisting of flag, playing national anthem, speech contests and national songs featured the Independence Day celebrations in Pakistan High Commission here on Thursday. Afrasiab, Acting Pakistan High Commissioner hoisted national flag with the playing of national anthem. Messages of the President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani were read out on the occasion.

ISLAMABAD : Chief of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif reiterating his determination to rebuild the nation urged people to join hands to make the country politically and economically stable state. “Let’s join our hands together and reaffirm to work hard to serve the nation and stabilize the destabilized economy,” Mian Nawaz Sharif said in a message to the nation on Independence Day.

PESHAWAR : The NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani has said that to weaken Pakistan and damage it would tantamount to weakening and damaging the cause of Islam. Therefore, he added, the actions, which undermine the strength of the state of Pakistan served no other purpose but to strengthen its enemies. This, he stated in a message of felicitation on the eve of Independence Day. The complete text of the message of the Governor is given below:

MUZAFFARABAD : The Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Raja Zulqarnain Khan and Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan urged the nation to forge unity among their ranks and files to safeguard the integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan. In their messages broadcast on Radio AJK here, on the eve of Pakistan’s independence day falling on August 14, the President commended the role and efforts of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, resulted the creation of Pakistan as an independent Muslim state.

LAHORE : Two police personnel were killed and 20 others were injured in the bomb blast outside the police station here on Wednesday night.

LAHORE : Eight have been reportedly dead while 20 people are feared wounded as a suicide bomber exploded himself at Allama Iqbal town near Dubai roundabout in Lahore amid Independence Day celebrations, police sources said

ISLAMABAD : Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman Wednesday said the passage of the Sindh assembly resolution in favour of impeachment shows that all democratic forces were supporting the move against the President.

MULTAN : Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi here on Wednesday paid rich tribute to late Pir Riaz Qureshi, former district nazim Multan.

BEIJING : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said fighting terrorism is the top priority of his government for the economic and social uplift of the people of Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD : Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sherry Rehman Tuesday said the ruling coalition enjoys two-third majority in the parliament and would get more than the required number of votes to impeach the President.

ISLAMABAD : Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday stressed the need for a balanced approach towards incorporating disarmament, non-proliferation and access to peaceful use of nuclear energy for civilian purposes. In a meeting with Gareth Evans, Co-chairperson of International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, the Foreign Minister exchanged views on international disarmament and non-proliferation issues.

PESHAWAR : A powerful remote control bomb targeting a truck detonated by unknown miscreants near Wakho Bridge, killing at least 13 persons and injuring 11 others on Kohat road here on Tuesday, official said.

ISLAMABAD : The annual 14th August “Azadi Show” will go ahead as per schedule at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, President’s spokesman said. Dismissing reports in a section of press that the regular event on the eve of the Independence Day at the President House has been cancelled, the spokesman said “the program will go as per schedule and there is no change.”

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari will leave for Saudi Arabia Tuesday on a two‑day official visit for holding wide ranging talks with Saudi leadership and to discuss ways to seek more investment from the Saudi entrepreneurs in energy, infrastructure development, agriculture and industrial sectors.

ISLAMABAD : The Federal Cabinet was expanded on Monday with the induction of 22 more federal ministers and 18 Ministers of State.

RAWALPINDI : General David Petraeus, Commander USCENTCOM visited General Headquarters on Monday and called on the Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

LONDON : A Muslim Conservative Party member of House of Lords has appealed to the international community to help Pakistan overcome its economic and extremism challenges.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari here on Saturday.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has underlined the need for increased cooperation of the world community and the United States in combating the global war against terrorism in a more effective manner.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani returned early Saturday morning after completing five-day visit to Turkey where he attended 85th anniversary celebrations of brotherly country Turkey as chief guest.

QUETTA : Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior A Rehman Malik Saturday said that on the directives of President Asif Ali Zardari relief and rehabilitation operations in quake-affected areas of the province are in full swing.

ISLAMABAD : UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered sending of urgent relief to the victims of earthquake, that hit Balochistan early Wednesday.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the demise of Lt Gen (R) Jamshed Gulzar Kiyani, former corps commander.

PESHAWAR : Mardan Police Chief Akhtar Ali Shah survived attempt on his life when a suicide bomber blew himself up close to main gate of his residence, killing at least nine persons including five patrolling squad of the DIG and injured 13 others.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday directed that the arrangements be made on emergency basis to provide temporary shelters to the homeless people of earthquake affected areas in Balochistan before the onset of winter.

QUETTA : At least 700 families had been affected in Ziarat district who either lost their dear ones or their houses were destroyed completely in Wednesday’s morning severe earthquake in parts of Ziarat district.

ISLAMABAD : A suicide bomber blew himself up outside the house of a senior police official in Mardan on Friday, killing at least Nine people and injuring 25, police said.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said the government was deeply conscious of the problems of Balochistan and was determined to address them on war footing.

ISLAMABAD : Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sherry Rehman Thursday said the required manpower and material is being despatched for the Balochistan earthquake victims on a continued basis as per direction of the President and the Prime Minister.

QUETTA : The death toll of Wednesday’s severe earthquake has crossed 300 and about 1000 are injured in the worst‑affected quake district, Ziarat, 120 kilometers off from the provincial capital, District Nazim Ziarat, Dilawar Khan Kakar and the District Health Officer Ziarat told APP by phone.

ISLAMABAD : Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman said on Thursday that rescue and relief operation in the earthquake‑affected districts of Balochistan was underway in top gear.

QUETTA : The death toll in an earthquake hit Ziarat division of Balochistan has risen to 236 whereas 391 people were injured. The toll is expected to climb further

ISLAMABAD : National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has confirmed death of 115 people in moderate earthquake that hit many parts of Balochistan province in early hours of Wednesday.

ISLAMABAD : As many as 15,000 people have been displaced as a result of the earthquake that hit northern and central parts of Balochistan province, provincial minister for forests and wildlife Molvi Abdul Samad Akhundzada told a news conference here on Wednesday.

QUETTA/ZIARAT : Death toll caused by earthquake in Ziarat valley can cross a figure of 190 as rescue teams have rushed volunteers to some villages where dozens of people are buried under debris collapsed houses, District Naib Nazim Ziarat Momin Khan Dummar told APP on telephone.

KARACHI : Rescuers have pulled 176 bodies from the rubble of hundreds of mud-walled homes in Balochistan province after a powerful earthquake hit the area on Wednesday, a district government official said.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of life due to the earthquake near Quetta.

QUETTA : Balochistan Minister for Health, Ainullah Shams has feared that the death toll caused by earthquake in Ziarat district may rise to 150.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed his deep sorrow and grief over the heavy loss of life due to the earthquake near Quetta and directed the federal and provincial governments to mobilise their resources to reach out to the affected people without delay.

ISLAMABAD : Director General, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Qamar‑uz‑Zaman Chaudhry has indicated high probability of more aftershocks in Balochistan during next week following an earthquake of 6.2 intensity on Ritcher scale that jolted Quetta early Wednesday morning.

QUETTA : At least 26 people died and dozens other sustained injuries when a 6.1 intensity earthquake jolted most parts of northern and central Balochistan early Wednesday morning.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday directed National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to activate its emergency control room to expedite relief activities after an earthquake measuring 6.5 struck parts of Balochistan. The control room will monitor rescue and relief operations in the affected areas round the clock.

ISLAMABAD : The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has triggered rescue and relief activities in Balochistan soon after an earthquake of 6.2 magnitude struck in northern parts of the province in the early hours of Wednesday.

QUETTA : Balochistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) dispatched the first relief consignment to quake-hit Ziarat district.

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan army contingents and two army helicopters reached in quake-hit areas of Balohistan to take part in rescue operation.

QUETTA/ZIARAT : Death toll caused by earthquake in Ziarat valley can cross a figure of 190 as rescue teams have rushed volunteers to some villages where dozens of people are buried under debris collapsed houses, District Naib Nazim Ziarat Momin Khan Dummar told APP on telephone.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday emphasized that the government could ill-afford financial assistance from IMF with tough conditions.

ISLAMABAD : President and Co-Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party Asif Ali Zardari has greeted the Hindu community of Pakistan on the occasion of Dewali falling on Tuesday (Oct 28).

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari Monday asked the government to accord highest priority to manpower export.

ISLAMABAD : The government has appointed Ashfaq Ahmad Gondal Secretary Information and Broadcasting. Ashfaq Gondal, who assumed the charge on Monday, has replaced Muhammad Akram Shaheedi.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday strongly condemned the blast in Quetta and vowed to crush the evil of terrorism with an iron hand.

QUETTA : A car bomb exploded in Quetta on Monday, killing at least two people and wounding eleven others, police said.

PESHAWAR : There is a report of the killing of an important leader of a banned outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban as a result of the ongoing security forces’ operation in Bajaur Agency, FATA on Saturday.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday said that Pakistan is facing serious challenges of extremism and militancy that are undermining our national interests and security and there is a dire need to forge unity to address these challenges.

BEIJING : Japanese Prime Minister Aso Taro and German Chancellor Dr. Angela Markel on Saturday assured Pakistan their countries’ full support in successfully addressing the issue of terrorism and overcoming financial crisis it was facing in the wake of global economic recession.

LAHORE : The war against terrorism cannot be won without widespread support of the nation, said Speaker National Assembly Dr. Fahmida Mirza here on Saturday.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said water shortage had seriously affected agriculture and there was a need to take quantum jump in devising schemes for optimal utilization of irrigation water.

ISLAMABAD : Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance Shaukat Tarin on Thursday said Pakistan requires financial assistance of 3 to 5 billion US dollars and all options available under Plan-A, B and C will be explored to meet the requirement.

ISLAMABAD : The Government on Thursday suspended the recent raise in power tariff for 10 days across the country.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday said the current economic turmoil could have been averted had billions in assistance and remittances been wisely spent on infrastructure development.

ISLAMABAD : The in-camera joint session of Parliament Wednesday underlined an urgent review of national security strategy and revisiting the methodology of combating terrorism in order to restore peace and stability in the country and the region through an independent foreign policy.

ISLAMABAD : The Parliament on Wednesday unanimously endorsed a 14-point resolution on national policy regarding internal security and war against terrorism.

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan and Afghanistan will strengthen their cooperation in the war against terrorism for peace in the region.

ISLAMABAD : The 16-member joint parliamentary committee has agreed on 11-point recommendations on national security here on Wednesday.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday called for enhancing the food grains storage capacity in the country through public private partnership as a means for ensuring food security.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday jointly chaired the preliminary meeting of the core group of Friends of Democratic Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday said Pakistan attaches great importance to its political, economic and cultural ties with Italy and both the countries share common perceptions on most of the regional and global issues, particularly on terrorism and UN reforms.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Richard Boucher, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, met here Monday at the PM House.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari presided over a high level meeting here on Saturday which was attended by Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Governor NWFP Ovais Ghani and Advisor to PM Rehman Malik.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari has directed setting up of an inter-ministerial committee to review and report progress on economic and trade ties with China. The committee to be headed by the President himself will meet monthly to assess the progress made to materialise the agreements inked during his visit to China.

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan Saturday said progress has been made in civilian nuclear cooperation with China to go ahead with Chashma-III and Chashma-IV nuclear plants to generate additional 680MW electricity and meet country’s growing power demand.

KARACHI : Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry arrived here this morning and received warm welcome by members of legal community. His flight from Islamabad landed at Karachi airport at 11:15 a.m. and it took 50 minutes or more to come out of the terminal building due to security measures.

KARACHI : President Asif Ali Zardari has paid rich tributes to the Karsaz, Karachi martyrs of October 18, 2007.

BEIJING : President Asif Ali Zardari left here for Pakistan at the end of a four-day “successful” and “monumental” visit to China, in which both the countries reiterated their deep desire to further strengthen their deep bilateral ties.

BEIJING : A prominent Chinese power generating entrepreneur has said that it will make investment to the tune of $ 1.7 billion for generating low cost hydel electricity in Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday said government was taking measures to increase economic opportunities to the people and for alleviating poverty in the country.

ISLAMABAD : Visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to China would add new dimensions in the existing time-tested ties between the two countries, said Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting, Azeem Daultana.

BEIJING : Leading industrialists, business executives and giant investors Friday called on President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed prospects and opportunities for augmenting Chinese investment in important sectors of the economy with an objective to further diversifying and expanding bilateral economic cooperation.

PESHAWAR : A suicide bomber in the wee hours of Thursday rammed explosive laden car into Mingora Police Station killing four persons and injuring 29 others.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari has stressed the need for ensuring food security in the country and initiating interventions to overcome the challenges of climate change and bio-energy for a progressive and sustainable agriculture sector.

BEIJING : Chinese President Hu Jintao, while condemning the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan, has reiterated China’s support for Pakistan’s efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

BEIJING : Pakistan and China Wednesday signed eleven agreements, MOUs and protocols to enhance bilateral cooperation on sound footing in diverse sectors including infrastructure, energy, telecommunication, agriculture, industry, minerals, trade, disaster relief and space technology.

BEIJING : Over a dozen agreements, MOUs and protocols to expand cooperation in diverse fields between Pakistan and China are to be inked after talks between President Asif Ali Zardari and President Hu Jintao during the former’s first four-day state visit to China that commenced on Tuesday.

BEIJING : President Asif Ali Zardari was given a very warm welcome when he arrived here Tuesday on his maiden state visit to hold talks with the Chinese leadership, giving renewed impetus to the already existing strong and time-tested bilateral bonds between the two countries and cooperation in various fields.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari Tuesday left here for China’s capital Beijing on his first state visit abroad.

ISLAMABAD : Taking notice of ongoing industrial gas load-shedding contemplated by the gas companies, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has directed that it should be deferred till proper consultation with all the stakeholders.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pakistan expects India to abide by international agreements on sharing of water in the Indus River system.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari Monday said Pakistan and Turkey were tied in strong political and bilateral ties that would further strengthen in the times ahead.

RAWALPINDI : A meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) was held under the chair of General Tariq Majid, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, here at Joint Staff Headquarters, Chaklala on Saturday.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday vowed to foil the evil designs of the terrorists who, according to them, are trying to destabilize the country.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari here on Saturday.

WASHINGTON : Pakistan will pursue a comprehensive plan to stabilise its economy, encourage production in agricultural and industrial sectors and promote public-private partnership to move towards sustained high growth, Adviser on Finance Shaukat Tareen said Friday afternoon.

KOHAT : Two Rockets are attacked in Garrison Cinema Kohat in rush hours, 4 peoples are injured & the cinema has burned.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday strongly condemned the suicide attack at a Jirga in Orakzai Agency and reiterated government’s resolve to eradicate the cancer of terrorism from the country.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has strongly condemned the suicide attack on the Jirga at Orakzai Agency resulting in loss of many precious lives and injuries to scores of others.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the suicide attack at a Jirga meeting in Orakzai Agency and said such attacks will not deter the government’s resolve to root out terrorism from the society.

PESHAWAR : The death toll in Adezai suicide attack mounted to 30 while over 110 others were injured, some of them severely.

PESHAWAR : At least 22 killed and another 90 sustained injuries after the suicide bomb blast in Orakzai Agency`s Jirgah.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari will pay his first state visit to China from October 14 to 17 to hold meetings with his Chinese counterpart and promote bilateral relations.

LODHRAN : At least 27 passengers including six women were killed and another 54 sustained injuries after the bus they were riding collided head on with a trailer at Lodhran-Khanewal road, some nine kilometres away from the city on Friday, police said.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari Friday expressed his deep sorrow and grief over the loss of precious lives in a road accident near Lodhran.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday expressed his profound sorrow and grief over the loss of precious lives in a road accident near Lodhran.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari, in his message to the nation to commemorate the October 2005 earthquake, has urged the country to reflect on the enormous impact of one of the most devastating earthquakes in the history of the world.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has extended congratulations to the new Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Ijaz Butt.

ISLAMABAD : The three Services Chiefs called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Tuesday.

PESHAWAR : Train march organises by Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has left for Lahore from here on Tuesday.

UNITED NATIONS : Global literacy rates continue to rise but some regions are still lagging sharply behind in the campaign to ensure that everyone can read and write, a UN report released Tuesday finds.

BHAKKAR : seventeen persons were killed while 40 other including MNA Rashid Akbar Niwani injured in a suicide bomb blast here at Niwani House on Monday afternoon.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN : Seventeen people were killed and over 40 others injured in a suicide blast that ripped through the dera of MNA Rasheed Akbar Khan Noorani in Bhakkar on Monday.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN : Suicide bomb blast at MNA Rasheed Akbar Khan Nawani house in Bhakkar, 20 dead and above 40 injured.

Rasheed Akbar Khan Nawani MNA injured.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday said terrorism can be defeated if nation further fosters unity and strength in its ranks.

ISLAMABAD : Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani on Saturday called on President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed with him prevailing law and order situation in the country.

PESHAWAR : At least five persons including two policemen and a suicide bomber were killed and 12 others injured in a suicide bomb blast outside the hujra of ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali Khan at Wali Bagh in Charsadda on Thursday.

ISLAMABAD : A blast occurred at the residence of Awami National Party (ANP) leader Asfand Yar Wali Khan in Wali Bagh, Charsadda, on Thursday.

ISLAMABAD : A large number of people including diplomats, senior civil officials, members of federal cabinet, parliamentarians and elite of the city attended a reception hosted by President Asif Ali Zardari here at Aiwan-e-Sadr on the occasion of Eid.

KARACHI : The moon of Shawal 1, 1429 has been sighted in the country on Tuesday, so Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated tomorrow on Wednesday October 1, Ruet-i-Hilal committee (Central Moon Sighting Committee) announced here on Tuesday night.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Tuesday said Pakistan enjoys excellent, time-tested, all-weather, multi-dimensional relations with China and both the countries have complete trust, mutual understanding and convergence of views on bilateral, regional and international issues.

JODHPUR : At least 170 people were killed and scores injured on Tuesday in a massive stampede at a Hindu temple in the western state of Rajasthan, a senior state official said.

KHAR : Troops and tribesmen killed 13 militants in fighting on Monday in Bajaur, as the two sides teamed up to fight extremists in the Taliban and al Qaeda hub.

NEW YORK : President Asif Ali Zardari has pledged to free Pakistan of the Taliban militants, saying they are cancer to the society.

NEW YORK : President Asif Ali Zardari denied reported American claims of gunfire between Pakistani and U.S. troops this week as he asked Washington in an interview Saturday to step up intelligence cooperation to help Pakistan deal with any extremism problem on its side of the Afghan border.

NEW DELHI : A bomb exploded on Saturday in a market in the Indian capital, killing at least five people and injuring more than 50, two weeks after deadly serial blasts in New Delhi, a report said, quoting a senior police official.

NEW YORK : Former President Bill Clinton met with President Asif Ali Zardari here Friday afternoon and discussed US-Pakistan relations and exchanged views on meeting challenges in the South Asian region.

ISLAMABAD : Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior, Rehman Malik Friday briefed Islamabad based diplomats about security arrangements of diplomatic mission and their personnel.

KARACHI : Three most wanted terrorists, belonging to a banned outfit, blew themselves up after police raided a home at Baldia Town in Karachi here on Friday.

UNITED NATIONS : President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday made a stirring call for international community’s moral, political and economic support to help fight terrorism, saying the security of the world lay in Pakistan ‘s stability.

NEW YORK : President Asif Ali Zardari and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have pledged to resolve all outstanding issues, including Kashmir issue, vowed to continue the peace process for bringing lasting peace to the region.

WASHINGTON : Pledging Pakistan’s unwavering resolve against terrorism, President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday urged international help to curb the menace through socio-economic uplift of the people but also warned that foreign actions in violation of its sovereignty would only strengthen forces of violent extremism.

NEW YORK : Calling anti-terrorism fight a tough challenge, President Asif Ali Zardari Wednesday said he is endeavoring to secure international and regional support on taking forward the struggle holistically with a simultaneous thrust on political, economic and security dimensions.

QUETTA : A female student was killed and 18 others injured including 13 personnel of Frontier Courps in a suicide attack at the airport road near Askari park in Quetta here on Wednesday.

NEW YORK : President Asif Ali Zardari discussed expanding Pakistan’s trade and economic relations with Brazil and South Korea as he met separately with leaders of the two countries on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.

NEW YORK : President Asif Ali Zardari and President George W Bush discussed strengthening bilateral relationship here Tuesday, with the U.S.leader acknowledging Pakistan’s sovereignty and pledging continued support for the country in economic and security fields.

NEW YORK : Information Minister Sherry Rehman Tuesday said President Asif Ali Zardari will plead Pakistan’s case at the United Nations and apprise the world community about the critical situation it was facing while tackling violent extremism.

NEW YORK : Calling the fight against terrorists as Pakistan’s war, President Asif Ali Zardari has asked American troops to stay away and leave the Pakistani forces to do the job.

NEW YORK : President Asif Ali Zardari flew into New York this afternoon to lead Pakistan’s delegation to the 63rd session of the U.N. General Assembly.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will preside over a high level meeting at 11.00 a.m. here on Tuesday to review and beef up the security measures in the country, particularly in the Federal Capital.

ISLAMABAD : The government on Monday condoled with Czech Republic on the tragic demise of its ambassador Ivo Zdarek, who was killed in a terrorist attack at Marriott Hotel.

ISLAMABAD : At least 60 people were killed, including foreigners and over 200 others injured when an explosives laden truck rammed into a five star hotel here on Saturday.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday urged the parliament to form an all parties committee to remove distortions in the constitution and ‘revisit’ the 17th Amendment and Article 58(2)b.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday evening. Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani was also present.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari’s address to the joint sitting of Parliament on Saturday will be a milestone in the country’s history, as within two weeks of his election he will spell out government’s policy on important national issues before the public representatives.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said Pakistan has always been committed to extending political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir in their struggle for self-determination.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari hosted an Iftar dinner in honour of the members of Sindh Cabinet here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Wednesday.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari returned home Wednesday at the end of his private visit to Dubai and United Kingdom.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Tuesday called for an immediate end to violation of Pakistan’s territory by the US, NATO and ISAF forces and stressed the need for greater cooperation and understanding among all the stakeholders.

BADIN : Acting President Dr. Fahmida Mirza has called upon the people to extend their full cooperation to the present democratic government in strengthening democracy as well as resolving the external and internal issues of the country.

ISLAMABAD : President Asif Ali Zardari Monday said the people of Pakistan were determined to safeguard their democratic rights and reject anti-democracy elements that derail the democratic process.

LONDON : President Asif Ali Zardari reaching UK on Sunday will hold important talks with the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on bilateral ties but more crucially on the emerging situation on the troubled Pak-Afghan border.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said the election of the leader of country’s major political party as the President of Pakistan has strengthened democratic institutions in the country.

KARACHI : President Asif Ali Zardari left here for Dubai on a private visit. According to official sources here, the President travelled by a regular flight of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

BHITSHAH : President Asif Ali Zardari visited the shrine of great sufi saint Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai here on Friday afternoon.

GARHI KHUDA BUX : President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday paid respect at the mausoleum of late Benazir Bhutto, the chairperson of Pakistan Peoples Party, who was killed in a terrorist attack on Dec 27 last year.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said on Thursday that Army chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani’s remarks on country’s defence are reflection of government policy.