SIACHEN: Eight soldiers embraced martyrdom when an avalanche hit a military camp at Siachin glacier.

According to sources, the soldiers were discharging their duties according to the schedule when an avalanche struck a military post at Bevan sector.

The bodies of the martyred soldiers were pulled out of the avalanche.

They will be laid to rest in their respective areas with complete military honor.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has directed the FM radio network to air a radio program of Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira.

According to the authority, Kaira will take part in an hour-long Radio Pakistan program ?Naye Ufaq? every Tuesday. The PEMRA has asked the FM radio network also to air Kaira?s program.

When contacted, the PEMRA authorities said the FM radio network has been requested, not directed, to air Kaira?s program. Year 2010 has been declared a year of Radio and this program is a part of this announcement.

The radio owners have expressed concerns about the move, saying they have to suffer financial losses besides loss of listeners.

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid was not acting upon the schedule he himself had provided to the administration.

Addressing a news conference here, he said that one DSP and dozens of policemen were deployed for Rashid?s security. No other candidate was given that much security, he added.

However, the chief minister said that security of Rashid had been further stepped up.

The government was already aware of the threat, due to which complete security was provided to the AML chief, said Shahbaz.

The chief minister said that a joint team comprising ISI, IB and CID would investigate the attack on Rashid and would share the findings with the nation.

RAWALPINDI: Punjab Governor Salman Taseer described the shameful attack on Sheikh Rashid, chief of the Awami Muslim League, as a conspiracy against democracy.

Speaking to newsmen after inquiring the health of Sheikh Rashid, he said that such attacks against the democracy could not deter the courage of politicians.

He said Sheikh Rashid is an experienced politician.

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court has sought explanations from the defence ministry about the missing persons? case.

The PHC heard the writ petitions filed about recovery of missing persons today (Tuesday).

Chief Justice Peshawar High Court Justice Afzal Khan told the court that Muhammad Ali and Hafiz-ur-Rehman of Peshawar and Kurram Agency?s Noor Syed were picked up by secret agencies.

Deputy Attorney General Iqbal Mohmand provided details of the missing persons.

The court, issuing notice to the defence ministry, asked it to clarity.

Feb 09, Colombo: The election monitoring group Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) has requested Sri Lanka’s Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake for carbon copies of the result sheets issued at each counting centers of the presidential election held on January 26th.

PESHAWAR: Awami National Party leader Haji Adeel said Tuesday that national identity cards (NICs) were not being issued to Pakhtun people in Punjab and
Sindh.

He said that Pakhtuns were being asked to produce copies of parents? marriage certificate in Sindh, whereas in Punjab there was a condition of mother language being Punjabi for Pakhtuns.

Speaking in the Senate, he demanded that the process of unjustice facing Pakhtuns in Punjab and Sindh should be stopped.

Feb 09, New York: The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday expressed great concern over the arrest of Sri Lanka’s defeated presidential candidate and former army chief General Sarath Fonseka and urged the authorities to follow due process of law and provide all the necessary protections and guarantees to his safety.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that judiciary is working with complete freedom as the government believes in strengthening of institutions rather than personalities.

Speaking at a ceremony in the federal capital today, the prime minister urged all state organs to work within their parameters.

?The government will get rid of the menace of militancy,? he said.

Gilani said today?s government is tomorrow?s opposition, while today?s opposition is tomorrow?s government. He stated some elements want to create difficulties for the government.

About good governance, he urged the people to change their behaviors in this regard. ?I want to make it clear that we can not enhance the country?s natural resources,? he added.

MUZAFFARABAD: Dozens of houses were demolished and a boy died as incessant rains and landslides continued to devastated several areas of Muzaffarabad.

The fast-flowing floodwater is passing through Kohala area, which is likely to fall into Mangla Lake anytime during the night.

A breach (band) of the Zalzal Lake constructed after Oct 8 earthquake over landslides and rains was broken due to water pressure. The flood has badly affected some 30 houses and shops located on both sides of River Jehlum.

Landslides have demolished dozens of homes and flood inundated several areas, Assistant Commissioner Batian Bala Raja Shahid Hamid confirmed.

The Disaster Management Authority Azad Kashmir has also issued a warning, asking the people to vacate their houses located on river banks.