LAHORE: The Lahore High Court today directed the federal government that it should take steps according to the law for the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqi.

Barrister Iqbal Jafri argued the US court has convicted Dr. Aafia on the grounds of false allegations in violation of the international laws. Therefore, the government should show non-confidence on the US court and use legal and diplomatic channels for Aafia’s release.
Later, the court disposed of the petition regarding release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqi and directed the government to take steps for her release.
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KARACHI: The local government elections are expected to be held by the end of May, Provincial Local Bodies Minister Agha Siraj Durrani said while talking to media outside Sindh Assembly on Monday.

He said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) have reached a consensus on the appointment of administrators in Sindh.
Durrani said that President Asif Ali Zardari has called on a meeting to discuss and finalize the future of the local body institutions.
He said that a bill will be presented before Sindh Assembly after today’s meeting in …

Srinagar: At least six soldiers of the Indian Army were killed and more than 450 trapped on Monday when a massive avalanche struck a high altitude warfare training camp in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

“A massive avalanche rolled down in the Khilanmarg mountain, engulfing a high altitude warfare camp set up by the army there.About 70 soldiers have been rescued so far from beneath the avalanche debris,” quoting a defence official an Indian television channel reported.
A massive rescue and relief operation has been started in the area.
A police officer …

Karachi: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan has no expansionist intentions in the region.

Addressing a ceremony regarding the inclusion of PNS Shamsher in Pak Navy, the Premier said that Pakistan was doing more than its capabilities to eliminate the anti-peace powers in the world. The PM observed that self-sufficiency in arms production was the need of hour and vowed to provide the army with modern equipment despite the economic crunch. He noted that Pakistan, China ties were very deep and based on mutual trust, and …

LAHORE: Pakistan on Monday left out coach Intikhab Alam and wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal from its 14-man side to face England in two Twenty20 matches.

There is speculation Alam will be sacked over Pakistan’s humiliating 3-0 Test and 5-0 one-day series whitewash in Australia last month, but a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official denied he had been dismissed.
“Alam is not sacked,” PCB chief operating officer Wasim Bari said.
“There is no decision on Alam’s future as yet, but it will be taken subsequently,” he added.
PCB has ordered a six-man evaluation committee to …

PESHAWAR: Veteran politician, former president of Awami National Party (ANP) and a well-known Pashto poet, Muhammad Ajmal Khattak, died in Akora Khattak, Nowshera, on Sunday. He was 85.

According to his son Aimal Khattak, his father breathed his last on late Sunday evening after protracted illness. He had been bedridden for sometime due to a host of diseases but was mentally alert.
Born in September 1925, Ajmal Khattak was a committed political worker who suffered imprisonment and self-exile for years due to his strong convictions. But he was also a literary man, …