LAHORE: The Punjab Government has constituted a joint investigation team to hold inquiry into the attack on Awami Muslim League leader Sheikh Rashid.

According to the statement issued by Punjab government, a joint investigation team comprising Punjab police, ISI and IB has been formed to probe firing on Rashid.

It further said families of victims would be compensated while the injured would receive treatment at the government?s expense.

RAWALPINDI: The police have recorded statement of Sheikh Rashid, chief of Awami National Party, who was attacked by unknown armed men at his election office Monday.

According to reports, SHO Pir Wadhai police station recorded Rashid?s statement.

RAWALPINDI: Awami Muslim league Sheikh Rashid on Monday said that those killed in today?s armed attack were his childhood friends, not personal guards.

?My two friends died on the spot while the third one passed away in the hospital,? he told Geo on telephone.

Rashid said that the decision to kill him was motivated over fear of defeat.

?Thanks to Almighty that I am safe. I have won many elections and will fully take part in this election too,? he said.

RAWALPINDI: SHO Pir Wadhai Police Station has recorded the statement of Awami Muslim League Chief and seasoned politician Sheikh Rashid.

Sheikh Rashid escaped a life attempt earlier today, when unknown assailants opened fire at him outside his election office here Monday.

LAHORE: Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Monday denouncing the attempt to assassinate Sheikh Rashid, said investigation is underway into the incident.

Addressing the Punjab Assembly, the Provincial Law Minister said the Election Commission should advise the contesting candidates to slow down their election campaigns.

The Opposition leader Chaudhry Zaheeruddin, however, said that the purpose of the armed attack was to wipe out a political giant from the scene.

Rana Sanaullah said the motive behind terrorist act was to destabilize the country.

KARACHI: Dr. Fauzia Siddiqi and Ismat Siddiqi, the sister and mother of Dr. Aafia Siddiqi, today met Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and called for ?results? instead of mere statements.

The meeting was held at the Governor House, where Dr. Ishratul Ebad Khan and Federal Minister Farooq Sattar were also present.

The meeting also discussed matters regarding conviction of Dr. Aafia Siddiqi in the US court.

Later, talking to Geo, Dr. Fauzia Siddiqi said that Prime Minister assured them that he would hold a meeting with Pakistan?s ambassador to Washington Hussain Haqqani, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Interior Minister Rehman Malik to chalk out a strategy about Aafia?s release.

?We asked the Prime Minister to give results, not statements.? Dr. Fauzia said.

In a handout issued by the Sindh Information Department, Dr. Aafia Siddiqi?s mother praised the prime minister for his efforts.

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement quaid Altaf Hussain has strongly denounced the attack on Sheikh Rashid, chief of the Awami National Party.

In a statement issued from London today, he described the armed attack as worst example of terrorism, which deserved full condemnation.

He prayed for the early recovery of Rashid?s health and expressed grief on the death of AML workers. The MQM chief also called for a high-level inquiry into the incident.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Monday said that involvement of foreign hand behind Karachi bombings could not be ruled out on the basis of some evidence.

Speaking to media at the Parliament House, he urged New Delhi to stop leveling allegations against Pakistan on every matter and resolve issues through composite dialogue.

The interior minister reiterated that there was no presence of private US security firm Blackwater anywhere in Pakistan, but if anyone has evidence in this regard should bring it.

MANSEHRA: One person was missing while two others received injuries when an avalanche hit a truck near Karo, district here on Monday.

According to details, the rain and snowfall disrupted business activities besides closing many link roads leading to mountainous areas.

The rain which continued for the last four days has also affected the communication system in the district and its adjoining areas.

A member NWFP Assembly Abdul Sattar Khan told APP here that the people of two valleys including Sapat and Kundia are facing difficulties due to snow and landsliding.

He told that a person was missing while two others were injured in an avalanche that hit a truck near Karo.

The injured were shifted to a local hospital.

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani have condemned the incident of firing on former minister and President Awami Muslim League Sheikh Rashid Ahmed at his election office in Rawalpindi on Monday.

They ordered inquiry into the incident and sought a report from the law enforcement agencies.