Pak paid heavy price of anti-terror war : Nawaz Sharif

A US delegation comprised of three US congressmen and two Senators met with Nawaz Sharif in Raiwind on Wednesday.

Nawaz Sharif during the meeting said Pakistan itself a victim of terrorism and paid heavy price for war on terrorism. War against terrorism needed cooperation at every level, as only military coalition is not enough. Pakistani nation is irked due to new wave of terrorism.

He said the best way of eliminating terrorism is to improve economic conditions and education system in troubled areas. He said we want to cooperate with US but national interest is our top priority.

Ship believed hijacked off Somalia

International naval patrols have been stepped up in the Gulf of Aden following increased pirate attacks. The vessel was en route to Mombasa, Kenya, when it was attacked about 500 kilometers (310 miles) off Somalia's coast.
The cargo ship is Danish-owned. Between January and February, only two pirate attacks were reported off the east coast of Somalia, according to the International Maritime Bureau, which tracks piracy attacks worldwide.
Pirates seized a British-owned cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden. Pirates typically use small boats with a limited range to attack ships just a few miles off the coastline.
"Recent activity suggests that pirate activity off the east coast of Somalia has increased. Attacks have occurred more than 400 nautical miles offshore.
Pentagon officials say pirates are holding 15 ships off the Somali coast and according to U.S. Navy statistics, pirates attacked four ships between Saturday and Monday.
Navy officials say about 12 to 15 coalition ships are patrolling in the Gulf of Aden and the off the coast of Somalia

Forces facing resistance in Afghanistan: Holbrooke

Special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke has said that the world forces are facing resistance in Afghanistan and that a challenge is being faced for preventing terrorism in the region including Afghanistan where the world leadership is facing various issues. He added that a consensus is needed among all stakeholders and forces in Afghanistan.

Holbrooke said that India is an important leader in the region and the US is seeking India’s support in preventing terrorism in the region. According to him, for the first time the United States, Pakistan and India are facing the same challenges

Richard Holbrooke said that Baitullah Mahsud is a great threat for the region including Pakistan and America.

North Korea rocket test, UNSC urgent meeting called

TOKYO: North Korea has tested long-rage rocket, while the U.S. Japan and South Korea have declared the Nkorea rocket test an open violation of UN resolution and an emergent meeting of the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) has been called on the demands of these countries.

Meanwhile Russian and China have pleaded restraint in reactions to the North Korea rocket launch condemnations.

North Korea said that it has sent a communication satellite into the space under its peaceful satellite program. However, a statement issued from the Japanese prime minister office said that North Korea missile test was threatening, as it could target Japan.
At the State Department in Washington, spokesman Fred Lash said North Korea launched a rocket at 10:30 p.m. EDT Saturday (0230 GMT). North Korea had informed international authorities that it planned to launch a rocket sometime between Saturday and Wednesday to put a satellite into orbit. But the U.S., South Korea, Japan and others suspect it is a cover for testing a long-range missile for the North, which has nuclear weapons.
Lash added that the North Korean action violated United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718. The council adopted the 2006 resolution five days after North Korea conducted a test of a nuclear weapon
North's Korea's development, deployment and proliferation of missiles, ballistic missile-related materials, equipment and technologies pose a serious threat to the northeast Asia region and to the international community

Barak Obama condemns North Korea missile launch

American officials condemned the North Korean launch of a long-range rocket Sunday, with President Obama calling it a "provocative act."

A recent satellite image shows a rocket sitting on its launch pad in northeast North Korea.

Obama said the launch was "a clear violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718, which expressly prohibits North Korea from conducting ballistic missile-related activities of any kind." North Korea said the rocket was launched to carry a satellite into space.

South Korean Foreign Minister Yoo Myung-Hwan said: "for the time being it is believed that North Korea launched a satellite. "It is alarming that North Korea carried out this missile launch in direct defiance of the international community," Berman said. An October 2006 United Nations resolution condemned North Korea for missile launches in the summer and a nuclear test that same month.

22 dead, several injured in Chakwal Imambargah

CHAKWAL: At least 22 persons died and several were injured at the Imambargah suicide bombing here.

The blast ripped apart the bodies of the faithful at the Imambargah, leaving a horrific scene of scattered body parts and blood all around the incident site.
The bodies and the injured were shifted to the Chakwal District Headquarter Hospital, while some injured were sent to Rawalpindi.

High police officials, DCO and heavy contingents of police also arrived following the blast.

Al-Qaeda planning attacks on US (Obama)

US President Barack Obama said Wednesday that al-Qaeda was planning to attack the US mainland from Pakistani soil and added that the US would chase and defeat the terrorist organization wherever it is present in the world.

Addressing a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Obama said the US policy was clear for both Pakistan and Afghanistan and Afghanistan would not be allowed to become a safe haven of al-Qaeda. The US president said the elimination of al-Qaeda was in the greater interest of both the countries.

Ex-Minister Mr. Ameer Muqam’s house blown up

PESHAWAR: Armed Taliban blown up house of Ex-Federal Minister Ameer Muqam.

Earlier, gunmen seized the house of Ameer Muqam in Bahrain, which was later blown up with explosives.

According to sources, Ameer Muqam and his family members were not present in the house when gunmen stormed the house, however, two servants of Ameer Muqam were forced to flee from the scene by armed men.

Ameer Muqam said it was a group of 60 to 70 local Taliban. He said restoration of peace in Swat seems difficult as gunmen are now started grabbing houses. Ex minister said he will discuss the issue with local administration.