World Twenty20 2012 Officials - Courtesy ICC

Group Photo 

Pakistan batsman Kamran Akmal plays a shot and MS Dhoni watches during a World Twenty20 warm-up match between India and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa stadium in Colombo. Akmal smashed an unbeaten 92 off 50 balls as Pakistan came from behind to defeat India by five wickets in a warm-up match for the World Twenty20

Ayman al-Zawahiri appointed as al-Qaeda leader

The long-serving second-in-command of al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, has been appointed its head following the death of Osama Bin Laden, the militant organisation said in a statement.

Bin Laden was killed by US forces in Pakistan in early May.

Al-Qaeda warned it would continue to fight a holy war against the US and Israel under Zawahiri's direction.

Analysts say Egyptian-born Zawahiri, 59, is intelligent but lacks the charisma of his predecessor.

He is claimed by some experts to have been the "operational brains" behind the 9/11 attacks on the US.

For years Bin Laden's deputy, with a $25m (£15m) bounty on his head, he had been widely anticipated to replace Bin Laden at the helm.

The statement announcing his appointment was posted on a militant website and attributed to al-Qaeda's General Command.

"Sheikh Dr Ayman al-Zawahiri, may God guide him, assumed responsibility as the group's amir [leader]", it said.

It vowed that under Zawahiri, it would pursue jihad or holy war against the US and Israel "until all invading armies leave the land of Islam".

'Jihadist renaissance'

Zawahiri, whose 60th birthday is believed to be this Sunday, warned just over a week ago that Bin Laden would continue to "terrify" the US from beyond the grave.

In a video message posted on the internet on 8 June, Zawahiri said al-Qaeda would continue to fight.

"The sheikh has departed, may God have mercy on him, to his God as a martyr and we must continue on his path of jihad to expel the invaders from the land of Muslims and to purify it from injustice," Zawahiri said.

"Today, and thanks be to God, America is not facing an individual or a group, but a rebelling nation, which has awoken from its sleep in a jihadist renaissance."

The BBC's Middle East correspondent, Jon Leyne, says priorities for al-Qaeda's new leader may include attempting to to mount a big attack to show the organisation is still in business.

In addition, he says, Zawahiri will want to turn the wave of unrest in the Middle East to al-Qaeda's advantage - perhaps building more of a power base in Yemen and working to intensify the instability there.

Divisions?

In his message last week, Zawahiri applauded the Arab uprisings against "corrupt and tyrant leaders" and urged those involved to continue their "struggle until the fall of all corrupt regimes that the West has forced onto our countries".

But our correspondent adds that the delay in announcing Zawahiri as al-Qaeda chief - coming as it does more than six weeks after Bin Laden's death, despite his being the obvious choice - may point to divisions within the leadership.

Zawahiri has for years had a bounty on his head and security analysts have suggested he is most likely to be hiding in the Afghan-Pakistan border region.

However, Bin Laden and other key militant leaders who were also believed to be concealed there have instead been discovered in Pakistani towns and cities.

Bin Laden's killing by US special forces in a covert operation in the garrison town of Abbottabad on 2 May strained Washington's relations with Islamabad.

US President Barack Obama said "someone" was protecting Bin Laden, but Pakistan has denied any knowledge of Bin Laden's whereabouts and has arrested alleged CIA informants.

Pakistan soldiers held over videoed killing in Karachi

Police in Karachi, Pakistan, say they have arrested two paramilitary soldiers seen on video killing a young man.

Video footage shows the man, Sarfaraz Shah, begging for his life before being shot by six members of the Sindh Rangers paramilitary force.

The Rangers say the young man was caught trying to rob someone. His family denies this.

An inquiry is already under way into the killing of five unarmed Chechens last month by the security forces.

The video from Karachi, which has been broadcast widely on Pakistani television, is disturbing to watch.

It shows a young man in a black T-shirt being dragged by his hair in a public park by a man in plain clothes.

He is pushed towards a group of Sindh Rangers who are in uniform and armed. The young man, who does not appear to be armed, pleads for his life as one of the Rangers points a gun at his neck.

A little later, a Ranger shoots him twice at close range, hitting him in the thigh. The young man is seen writhing on the ground, bleeding heavily and begging for help.

The paramilitaries remain close to the injured man but do nothing to help him. He died from his injuries.

The journalists' union in Karachi have said that the TV cameraman who shot the video had received threats and was being "pressured [by authorities] to say it was a fake".

Sarfaraz's brother, Salik Shah, said he had been the victim of an extrajudicial killing.

The incident has sparked an outcry with some politicians calling for the Rangers involved to be prosecuted.

It comes as a separate inquiry is under way in neighbouring Balochistan Province into the killing of five Chechens by members of the paramilitary.

Five civilians, including a heavily pregnant woman, were shot dead at close range in the western city of Quetta, despite apparently trying to surrender.

Officials initially said that the five family members were armed and were suicide bombers - but this was later found to be u

ntrue.

Deadly blasts at market in Pakistani city of Peshawar

At least 34 people have been killed and 90 wounded after two explosions ripped through a market in the north-western Pakistani city of Peshawar, police say.

The blasts occurred just after midnight in an area of the city that is home to political offices and army housing.

The number of attacks by militants in Pakistan has risen sharply since al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden was killed in a US commando raid last month.

On Thursday, a bombing on the outskirts of Peshawar left four people dead.

An explosive device was planted in a pile of rubbish by the roadside in the Matani area, police said. The victims included a woman and a child.

Remote

A senior police official in Peshawar, Dost Mohammed, told the Associated Press that the first explosion on Sunday had been relatively small, and had drawn rescue workers, police and several journalists to the scene.

Minutes later, a large explosion rocked the area, causing the fatalities and most of the injuries. Eighteen people were said to be in a serious condition in hospital.

Jamal Khan, a 22-year-old student, was in his flat when the first blast happened. He was hit by flying debris by the second blast after rushing downstairs.

"The explosion was so huge I will never forget it all my life," he told AP. "It was deafening, and then there was a cloud of dust and smoke. When the dust settled, I saw people crying for help and body parts scattered everywhere."

Mr Mohammed said initial reports suggested the second blast was caused by explosives hidden in a vehicle and detonated by remote.

However, several police officials later said it might have been carried out by a suicide bomber on a motorbike.

The source of the first explosion is still unknown.

The AFP news agency said the apparent target was a supermarket. But the blasts also occurred close to a building containing the offices of several newspapers and across the road from those of the top political agent to Khyber, a volatile tribal region. There is also housing for soldiers nearby.

Rahimullah Yusfzai, editor of the News International newspaper, told the BBC he was in his office nearby when the blast went off.

He said the area had many shops and restaurants and was popular with families and students.

"First there was a small blast, we thought it was a gas cylinder which had exploded. Many people then ran towards the site of the blast and then the second big explosion took place which was heard far and wide," he said.

"This is how the militants operate - there is, in almost all cases, a smaller blast then a bigger one when the police and the media arrive."

The incident came as Afghan President Hamid Karzai visited the capital, Islamabad, for talks with senior Pakistani officials.

Speaking at a joint news conference, Pakistan's Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, said his country would give Afghanistan all the support it could, as Kabul pursued peace talks with the Taliban.

Mr Gilani said Pakistan's only aim was to support the peace process.

Panetta tries to repair strained relations with Pakistan

Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- In Pakistan to repair damaged relations, CIA Director Leon Panetta urged top officials to step up efforts to hunt militants operating within its borders as the United States reduced troop levels in the south Asian

nation at the request of Islamabad.

Between 200 and 300 U.S. military personnel remain in Pakistan, said a U.S. military spokesman, who asked not to be identified. It's not known what the previous number was but an official U.S. statement said the reduction was in line with a request from the Pakistani government.

"We recently received a written request from the Government of Pakistan to reduce the number of U.S. military personnel here, and we have nearly completed that reduction," said Navy Vice Adm. Michael LeFever, a U.S. defense representative in Pakistan.

Pakistan's military chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said the United States "has drastically cut down" troop strength in Pakistan.

Panetta met with the chiefs of Pakistan's military and top spy agency Friday to discuss U.S. partnership with Pakistan, strained by disputes about how to pursue counter-terrorism efforts.

Panetta's unannounced visit was the latest in a series of such visits by U.S. officials -- among them, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen and Sen. John Kerry -- in efforts to smooth things over after Osama bin Laden was killed in a Navy SEALs raid in early May.

Panetta insisted that Pakistan launch a military operation in North Waziristan, a rugged mountainous region rife with militants, according to a senior Pakistani official who asked to remain anonymous because he is not authorized to speak to the media.

Kayani agreed with Panetta in principle but told the incoming defense secretary that Pakistani troops are already stretched thin.

Panetta and his Pakistani counterparts agreed to form a joint intelligence team to track militant targets inside Pakistan.

U.S. officials believe Pakistan is not doing enough to go after al Qaeda and other extremists, while the Pakistanis are upset with what they consider to be unilateral steps taken by the United States within their borders.

Washington did not give advance notice to Pakistani officials about the raid on bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad.

At his confirmation hearing Thursday for defense secretary, Panetta, described the U.S. relationship with Pakistan as "difficult" but "critical."

While Pakistan has proven to be a safe haven for extremists, a positive relationship with authorities in Islamabad is vital to the mission in Afghanistan, he said.

(Late) Moin Akhtar Bio Biography

Moin Akhter ,Pride of Performance, Sitara-e-Imtiaz, born 1950) is a Pakistani television, film and stage actor, comedian, impersonator, host, Pakistani movie, drama, TV and theater actor, writer, singer, director and producer. He has played roles in many PTV serials making a combination with Anwer Maqsood and Bushra AnsariBushra Ansari.( and singer. His name is also often spelled as Moeen.

His TV debut was on September 6, 1966, in a variety show held to celebrate first defense day of Pakistan‎. He is a great artist belongs to Karachi a famous city of Pakistan and has starred in many TV dramas and live comedy events. He is rated among top artists in Pakistan. In 2005 he started work on talk show Loose Talk, in which he appears as a disguised guest every time and is interviewed humorously by writer Anwar MaqsoodAnwar Maqsood. Loose Talk airs on ARY Digital. He hosted "The Moin AkhtarMoin Akhtar Show" on PTV where he used to have celebrities come on the show with their spouses and have them answer questions, and also starred in the Television play, Rosi, which gained much fame because of Moin Akhtar's notable performance. Rosi was inspired by Tootsie and Moin Akhtar was the counterpart of Dustin HoffmanDustin Hoffman. He is one of the most versatile actors ever to enlighten the Pakistani television. His wit and humor keep the audience glued to the screen and while he says even the most impossible things, his sugar coated words along with his boyish charm make him one of the most unique actors in the business. Moin Akhtar is an inspiration for all the generations to come and one of the few that stand out among the many. He has parodied in several languages, including English, Sindhi, Punjabi, Memon, Pushto, Gujarati, bengali and others, while in the Urdu-speaking world, he is beloved for providing great humor for people of all ages, and with an etiquette that remains unmatched.

A few years ago, he suffered a heart attack and was admitted into the hospital. His fan base, in both India and Pakistan, and now spread all over the world as well, was gravely concerned for his health. In an interview with Mashrique, Moin Akhtar said: “I want to stay alive in the hearts and minds of the people, even after I am gone.” His fans around the globe will surely agree that he is already guaranteed that honour in his lifetime.

A variety show was held in Karachi on September 6, 1966, defense day of Pakistan. Numerous artists presented their items, including Nihal Abdullah, Taj Multani, Rubina Badar. A skinny youth by the name of Moin Akhtar also stepped up on the stage and entertained the audience with sound effects. Additionally, he also copied the voice and gestures of various Pakistani luminaries including Mohammad Ali.

he public who were all wearing smiles chanted: 'Once more, once more". People felt power in that boy's voice. He acted with confidence. There was a strange, enchanting way he conducted himself. Defense day was a celebration of people who have lifted our nation's pride. The show ended amidst incessant clapping.

Moin was ambitious but implacably determined to build a new world. That September night he must have dreamed a mighty dream and in a few dedicated years made it come true. In his teens, Moin was highly talented and - by dint of desire and hard work-was thriving ahead of his compatriots. His voice holds the power to gladden mortal hearts and his singular appearance and etiquette persists to this day.



Between 1966 and 1975, Moin performed in hundreds of shows. In the 1970s, face everyone knew.

Memorable among his public appearance was a show held at the Beach Luxury Hotel, sponsored by the Singer industries. Equally impressive was another musical evening also hosted by the Singer Company, in which Moin entertained the public both as a comedian and the host. However, fans remember Moin's true legacy-his comedy and that is a huge plus. When Urdu speaking people the world over, think of popular comedy, Moin is what they think of first. His innumerable achievements have dwarfed the most ambitious comedians in the past three decades. To think of Moin after so many accomplished years is to visualize life and humor. The Pakistani nation in general and experts in particular has never come across anybody like him, not even close. A passionate voice, a magnetic stage presence and fans like Dilip KumarDilip Kumar, have brought international acclaim to this dynamic comedian of the Indo-Pak subcontinent. All these years his passion for stage never ebbed. He has been flexible from day one. The secret of his success is that he remains open to change, Professionally and Personally. As an artist of highest repute, he is demanding in his discipline. With artists like Moin, it is often hard to tell where the screen persona end and the civilian life begin. Truth be told, Moin soon became the heartthrob of millions of people around the globe. He set a standard of style and substance that all of his successors admired. The spirit of self-reliance that his elders had taught him carried Moin though every performance. Moin, an ambassador of goodwill, captivated the hearts of his adorers with dignity, love and laughter. The image of this greatest Pakistani comedian is imprinted on the retinas of every fan. So dominating are the accomplishments of Moin that his admirers cannot think about any other entertainer.

n the early eighties, he achieved tremendous success as host of a show, held in Dubai. Literally speaking, there is no sphere of the Pakistani society, which Moin has not copied, through his parody. From the role of a poor beggar to the character of the highest-ranking bureaucrat, Moin has filled in the role of every single being. What more could Moin wish for, when the greatest Indian actor, Dilip Kumar, himself passed these comments: 'Moin Akhtar's great artistry is worth copying. That Moin continued to work as an individual artist on what was, in fact, a group feat of organizers, is presumably the secret of his potency.



Today, thirty-eight years after his first performance, the wistful magic of Moin gives him aliveness uncommon in the Pakistani entertainment. An average Moin fan cannot easily explain the wellsprings of his art. It seems that it comes from within. Moin found a perfect unanimity of tone with his colleagues, particularly Shoaib Mansoor and Anwer Maqsood. Moin, whose life and achievements inspired others, is all sweetness and light and on top of that has never let down his fans. His wit and wisdom took his fame to every nook and corner of this world. All his shows have an enduring quality. Most importantly, he never lost his power to inspire, entertain and even change lives.



From' pilot Yaqoob' of 'Buddha ghar per hai' to 'Seth Manjoor' in 'Such Much': 'Kaan Aap ki phemli kidar hai', his ability to devote unswerving attention to his task produced success in his field. His parody in English, Urdu, Sindhi, Bengali, Punjabi, Memon, Pushto, Gujrati and many other dialects distinguish him from all other entertainers. He was apt to be successful in Haseena Moin's television comedy play, 'Eid train': 'Bhabi samosa khayia' and numerous other programs like 'Studio Ponay teen', 'Show time', 'Half plate' and 'Excuse me'. Moin, an adornment to the entertainment world, is a gift that keeps on giving: His parody of a Bengali film director, Silver Jubilee in 1983: 'Mubeen Aktar, kaum chahiye'. Is yet another example of the poise and intelligence he displayed. In the process he transformed his life into an exciting adventure that constantly challenges, rewarded and rejuvenated him. His parody of a bus driver in Pushto accent, 'Aur aik baat hum bhi bata dayta hai', is yet another instance of his artistry.



Moin, the jewel of the Pakistani film, radio, television, stage and music, whose eyes smile with the joy of today, the promise of tomorrow, said: 'I have confidence in my own abilities.' Moreover, he has such good judgment and intuition, that he rarely makes a wrong decision. Majority of Pakistanis believe that had there been an artist of Moin's caliber in U.S.A. then the American people would have carved his statues and the U.S. postal service would have issued stamps of Moin Akhtar.

In fact, Moin has raised his God gifted talents to compeer and act to a point where no other actor will be able to reach in the next hundred years. Further, what distinguishes Moin from other comedians is his par excellence-comedy of the highest quality.



Furthermore, Moin is the only host in the annals of the Pakistani showbiz, who had the honor to be the host of maximum number of shows in which the head of states from both Pakistan and abroad were invited:



He was the host of the show in which King Husain of Jordan was invited.

He was the host of the show in which the Prime minister of Gambia, Dawoodi-Al-Joza, was invited.

He was the host of the show in which President Zia-ul-Haq was invited.

He was the host of the show in which Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was invited.

He was the host of the show in which President General Yahya Khan was invited.

He was the host of the show in which President Ghulam Ishaq Khan was invited.



Apart from that, he was the host of the Imran KhanImran Khan show, Dilip Kumar show and Madhuri show.

During Imran Khan show, Raza Murad of India, paid tributes to Moin in these words: 'Moin is to stage as Imran Khan and Sunil Gavaskar are to cricket and Dilip Kumar is to the films.' This is how Moin differentiates between a host and an actor: 'Actor is like the passenger of the plane, while host is the captain of the plane'. The success and failure of the show, according to Moin, depends on the host. Moin Akhtar was the host of the sixth Pakistan television award show, while Shoaib Mansoor wrote and directed that show. Generally speaking, sixth Pakistan television award show is considered the best award ceremony ever held.



Additionally, Moin believes that Anwer Maqsood is the best writer he has ever seen. The latter leaves no margin to add or edit the script. Besides, Moin himself has written a lot for programs, but used the names of other writers. He maintains that if he concentrates on writing, then he will be unable to do justice as an actor and a host. Moin worked in the film 'Taaj daar'. He also appeared in the film 'Mr. K-2.' Talking of music, Moin is also a very good singer. Years ago numerous songs were recorded in his voice, which were originally sung by Ahmed Rushdi. Moin is the master of parody. In the past thirty-eight years, he has copied the voice and gestures of thousands of artists, including Mohammad Ali, Waheed Murad, Mehdi Hasan, Ahmed Rushdi and many more.

He appeared in various Pakistan television programs. Most prominent among them was 'Rozi'. While playing the role of 'Miss Rozi', his craftsmanship seemed effortless. He also worked in numerous stage shows from Lahore, as well. The entire Pakistani nation had prayed for his health and longevity, when he was admitted to the cardiac hospital, after suffering a heart attack.

He hosted the Pakistan television show on the 'Martyrs of Kargil' He interviewed the son of a Kargil martyr. Everyone in the audience became very emotional as the child replied that following the footsteps of his father, he, too, desires to achieve martyrdom to uphold the honor of his country.



The public was remarkably quiet and reflective. With tears in his eyes, Moin concluded the show with these words: 'Who could defeat this nation whose innocent little children have so much love and devotion for their country'. While Moin is in our midst, one has to admit that there will never be another Moin that is for sure

Pakistan PM loses vital coalition partner as MQM quits

Pakistan's MQM party says it is leaving Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani's coalition to join the opposition.

The move will deprive Mr Gilani of his majority in parliament.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the second largest party in the coalition, withdrew two ministers from the federal cabinet last week.

Mr Gilani denied his government was in danger of collapsing. "I don't see any crisis," he said, speaking on television after the announcement.

The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Islamabad says the government is now scrambling to find new partners, but that without them, new elections are likely.

Pakistan's governing coalition held 181 seats - including the MQM's 25 - in the 342-member parliament. The MQM's departure leaves Mr Gilani's Pakistan People's Party well below the 172 seats needed to preserve its majority.

Fuel prices

A statement issued by the party said: "Right at the start of the new year the government has raised the prices of petrol and kerosene oil which is unbearable for the people who are already under pressure from the already high prices."

Our correspondent says the move comes as a surprise.

"We have decided to sit on opposition benches because the government has not done anything to address the issues we have been protesting about," said Faisal Sabzwari, a MQM regional minister in Sindh province.

The MQM dominates politics in the city of Karachi.

The city, which the capital of Sindh province, has seen ethnic tension, with the MQM's militant wing widely believed to be behind most ethnic and political killings in the city over the last few years.

A smaller coalition partner, the Jamiat-i-Ulema Islam party, withdrew from the government earlier in December after one of its ministers was sacked.

Many in Pakistan believe the two parties are acting at the behest of the security establishment to undermine the country's political system.

Pakistan volleyball crowd 'hit by suicide bomber'

At least 60 people have been killed after a suspected suicide bomb attack at a volleyball pitch in the troubled north-west of Pakistan, officials say.

Officials said the bomber drove a vehicle towards the field as people gathered to watch a match. Some sources suggest the death toll has reached 75.

The attack happened near Lakki Marwat, close to North and South Waziristan.

The Pakistani army has been conducting a campaign against the Taliban in the tribal areas since October.

Dozens of people were reported to be injured in Friday's attack. Several buildings collapsed, trapping people under rubble.

'Militant hub'

"The villagers were watching the match between the two village teams when the bomber rashly drove his double-cabin pick-up vehicle into them and blew it up," district police chief Mohammad Ayub Khan told AFP news agency.

Mr Khan told reporters the attack may have been in retaliation for attempts by locals to expel militants.

"The locality has been a hub of militants," he said.

"Locals set up a militia and expelled the militants from this area. This attack seems to be a reaction to their expulsion."

The BBC's Aleem Maqbool reports from Islamabad that among those killed are believed to be members of a local peace committee who have been campaigning for an end to the violence.

Mushtaq Marwat, a member of the group, told Pakistan's Geo TV that the attack occurred as the committee was meeting in a nearby mosque.

"Suddenly there was a huge blast. We went out and saw bodies and injured people everywhere," he said.

'Soft target'

Other witnesses recalled seeing a bright flash before hearing an ear-piercing explosion.

Some initial reports about the attack said the vehicle that exploded was stationary, or that a bomber had walked towards the volleyball pitch.

North and South Waziristan form a lethal militant belt from where insurgents have launched attacks across north-west Pakistan as well as into parts of eastern Afghanistan.

Our correspondent says it had been feared that while the army was congratulating itself on its campaign, militants had simply escaped to neighbouring areas such as the one where Friday's attack happened.

The number of people killed in militant attacks in Pakistan is fast approaching 600 in just three months, with no apparent end to the violence in sight, he adds.

Militants have attacked both "hard" targets, including army or intelligence offices, and "soft" ones such as markets or the crowd that was hit in Friday's bombing.

The attack came as a general strike was held in Karachi, Pakistan's commercial capital, in protest against a bombing there on Monday and riots that followed.

The bombing, which killed at least 43 people, targeted a Shia Muslim march and was claimed by the Taliban.

Taliban claim bombing in Karachi

Pakistan's Taliban have said they carried out the suicide bombing which killed 43 people in the commercial capital, Karachi, on Monday.

A spokesman threatened to carry out more such attacks in the coming days.

Meanwhile, firefighters are still trying to douse flames following rioting after the attack on a Shia Muslim march.

Dozens of people were injured in the bomb, which struck as Shias marked the climax of the holy month of Muharram.

After the explosion, marchers turned their anger on ambulance workers, security forces and journalists.

'Our man'

"We carried out the suicide bombing in Karachi," the AFP news agency quoted Asmatullah Shaheen, one of the commanders of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as saying.

"He [the bomber] was our man. His name was Hasnain Muawia and we did it to protect the honour of the companions of the holy prophet," said Mr Shaheen whose name is on a government list of 20 most-wanted militants.

"We will carry out more such attacks and also target government installations," he said.

Meanwhile, fire tenders in Karachi were still struggling to control the fires that erupted following Monday's attack, officials said.

Arsonists set on fire nearly 2,000 shops and warehouses between Light House and Boulton Market in central Karachi.

The area houses Pakistan's largest wholesale markets that supply goods all over the country.

Traders said hundreds of shops were gutted in fire and that they had lost merchandise worth more than $350m. It is estimated that thousands of people have been rendered jobless.

City fire chief Ehtisham Qadri told the BBC Urdu service that the fire was still not doused and that a dozen fire engines were working the narrow lanes of markets in the old city area.

"There are no leaping flames on the skyline, but it's far from over. It's not safe yet," Mr Qadri said.

"I cannot give a time frame to bring it under control, because the area is very congested and heavily built, with narrow lanes and small shops which retard our progress."

Pakistan has seen an upsurge in violence in recent months.

Hundreds of civilians have died in bomb attacks as Pakistan's army concludes an offensive against Taliban militants in South Waziristan and surrounding areas.

Pakistan 'militants' kill official and family members

Militants in Pakistan have blown up the house of a local official, killing him and five members of his family.

Sarbraz Saddiqi, a government official in Kurram district, his wife and four children were killed in the attack, a police official said.

Sunday morning's attack came as the family were asleep.

No-one has admitted planting the bomb. But the police spokesman said it could be linked to a Pakistan army offensive against the Taliban in the area.

The army has captured territory in South Waziristan, a hotbed of Islamic militancy, but many insurgents are believed to have fled to nearby regions, including Kurram.

Small children killed

The attack occurred in Mosu Zai village, about 200km (125 miles) from the north-western city of Peshawar.

"Unknown miscreants planted dynamite around the house and exploded it between 0200 (2100 GMT) and 0300 and the house was destroyed," Abab Ali, a local official told AFP news agency.

"Those killed were aged five to 11," he said.

"We don't know whether the Taliban, terrorists or Shias were responsible," Mr Ali said.

But police officer Naeemullah Khan said the attack appeared to be linked to the army's efforts against the Taliban militants in the area.

Blast in Pakistan-administered Kashmir kills five

A suspected suicide bomb attack on a Shia Muslim gathering in Pakistan-administered Kashmir has left five people dead, officials say.

The blast in Muzaffarabad came as Shia Muslims commemorated the festival of Ashura that mourns the 7th-Century death of Imam Hussein.

More than 60 people were reported to have been injured in the blast.

Pakistan's security forces were on high alert fearing sectarian clashes between Shia and Sunni Muslims.

The attacker detonated his explosives as police tried to search him at a checkpoint set up outside the gathering, a police spokesman told the Associated Press news agency.

Pakistani air strike kills 10 in tribal area

Pakistani fighter jets have targeted suspected militant hideouts in the Orakzai tribal agency, south-west of Peshawar, killing at least 10 people.

Officials say the dead were militants, but eyewitnesses told the BBC the bombs destroyed the home of a tribal chief, killing three women and four children.

Pakistani troops have been engaged in an major offensive against the Taliban in South Waziristan, further south.

The army believes many insurgents fled from there to areas such as Orakzai.

A number of air strikes have targeted militant targets in Orakzai in recent weeks.

The UN says more than 40,000 civilians have left their homes in Orakzai and are in need of humanitarian assistance.

Pakistani eunuchs to have distinct gender

Pakistan's Supreme Court says eunuchs must be allowed to identify themselves as a distinct gender in order to ensure their rights.

The eunuchs, known as "hijras" in Pakistan, are men castrated at an early age for medical or social reasons.
The court said they should be issued with national identity cards showing their distinct gender.
The government has also been ordered to take steps to ensure they are entitled to inherit property.
'Respect and identity'
There are estimated to be about 300,000 hijras in Pakistan and they are generally shunned by the largely Muslim conservative society.
They tend to live together in slum communities, surviving through begging and by dancing at weddings and carnivals.
A hijra association has welcomed the order, saying it is "a major step giving respect and identity in society".
Indian authorities last month agreed to list eunuchs and transgender people by using the term "others", distinct from males and females, on electoral rolls and voter identity cards, after a long-running campaign by the members of the community.

Pakistan court orders ears and noses to be cut off

A Pakistani court has ordered that two men have their ears and noses cut off, as punishment for doing the same to a woman who refused to marry one of them.

The two brothers were found guilty of kidnapping 20-year-old Fazeelat Bibi, one of their cousins, in September.

The judge in Lahore also sentenced them to life in prison.

Sentence was passed on Monday under a rarely invoked Islamic law dating from the 1980s. In the past similar sentences have been revoked on appeal.

'Eye for an eye'

Government prosecutor Ehtisham Qadir said the punishment had been awarded in accordance with the Islamic principle of "an eye for an eye".

Sher Mohammad and Amanat abducted Fazeelat Bibi as she returned home from work at a brick kiln in the Raiwind area of Lahore, the court heard.

"They put a noose around her neck, and then cut off her ears and nose," Mr Qadir told the BBC.

Three alleged accomplices are still being sought by police.

The crime was committed after Fazeelat Bibi's parents refused to give her hand in marriage to Sher Mohammad, Mr Qadir said.

Islamic laws were introduced in Pakistan during the military regime of General Ziaul Haq in the 1980s.

The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says punishments prescribed under the laws have rarely been awarded, and never carried out.

Pakistani human rights activists have long campaigned for more to be done to stop attacks against women, which often include facial disfigurement.

However, they also disagree with the type of punishment handed out in Lahore, correspondents say.

Pakistan minister court summons

A judge in Karachi has summoned the Interior Minister, Rehman Malik to appear before an anti-corruption court.

It follows a court ruling this week which ruled out an immunity granted to the minister and thousands of other Pakistani officials.

Mr Malik is one of around 250 officials whose corruption and criminal cases have been re-opened.

On Thursday Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar was barred from going to China after he was stopped at the airport.

Mr Mukhtar said immigration officials prevented him from boarding the plane for an official visit.

The latest developments after the supreme court ruled on Wednesday that an amnesty protecting senior members of government was unconstitutional.

Only recently has it been revealed that more than 8,000 politicians and officials benefited from the legislation.

Those under investigation are barred from leaving Pakistan but the others have so far not been named.

Presidential immunity

The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Islamabad says that the ruling has thrown Pakistan's political administration into turmoil.

Our correspondent says that calls are growing for the president and the entire government to step down - something presidential aides have said will not happen.

The controversial amnesty was brought in by the previous president, Pervez Musharraf, and its removal opens the way to possible prosecution for allies of the current President, Asif Zardari.

Mr Zardari himself faces several pending court cases against him in Pakistan but is protected by presidential immunity.

Before taking office, he spent years in jail after being convicted on corruption charges he says were politically motivated.

Pakistan's main opposition, the Pakistan Muslim League-N of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has called on the president to resign.

Exit list

Mr Mukhtar told local television that his name was on the "exit list" restricting travel and that the federal investigation authorities had said he could not leave the country.

He told Geo TV that he had been planning to visit China for three days on an official visit in connection with the delivery of a warship.

"It was in connection with a corruption case but there is no corruption case against me - it is only an inquiry which is pending against me for the past 12 years."

He said he would "strongly defend" himself in court.

The amnesty was introduced by Mr Musharraf in order to allow Mr Zardari's late wife, Benazir Bhutto, to return to the country and stand for office, with the aim of a possible power-sharing deal with Mr Musharraf.

She returned to Pakistan from abroad after the so-called National Reconciliation Ordinance was signed into law, but was assassinated soon after.