Pak conveys ‘serious concern’ to US over drone strikes

FO summons US Charge d’affaires , Apology needed to open Nato supply routes: Khar

Islamabad—Pakistan on Tuesday summoned U.S. envoy to the Foreign Ministry to lodge formal protest with him over series of drone strikes in the country’s tribal region, officials said. The protest came a day after two U.S. spy aircraft fired missiles in North Waziristan tribal region and killed at least 16 people. The Monday’s strike was the third in Waziristan Tribal Areas in three days. “US Charge d’Affaires Ambassador Richard Hoagland was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today. He was officially conveyed the Government’s serious concern regarding drone strikes in Pakistani territory,” the Foreign Ministry said.

Smooth transition my dream: Gilani Pakistan, EU to work together against terrorism

Islamabad—Baroness Catherine Ashton, High Representative, EU, called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani at the PM House Tuesday and said Pakistan successes are our successes and Pakistan challenges are our challenges. Lady Ashton said the world appreciates the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in the war on terror adding the EU will continue to support Pakistan in this regard and the GSP plus is the manifestation of the same thinking.

Family gate haunts CJP

Islamabad–A well-known Pakistani journalist based in Washington has claimed that some business tycoons in connivance with the PPP government have brewed a familygate against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. According to the journalist who was interviewed by a video site named Washington Beat, “Judiciary is under attack and the battle between the judiciary and stigmatic politicians is reaching decisive face now.” “It was a big plan which is almost implemented and is now in final stage,” the journalist said.

Lyari: more than what meets the eye

Karachi over the years and Lyari now is being vulturised to make it pay for it being the bastion of democracy. The bloodshed all around is not entirely because of ideological or party differences. It has always been made to pay being the frontline player in the struggle for the empowerment of the people. That is why country’s first dictator Ayub Khan shifted federal capital from Quaid’s city to Islamabad not realising that it would serve a fatal blow to East and West Pakistan’s unity. Anti-democratic forces and extremists that followed him ever after found common cause to keep Karachi on tenterhooks.

US wants India to play ‘more active role’ in Afghanistan

New Delhi—US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta will encourage India to play a “more active role” in Afghanistan during a visit to New Delhi, US officials said Tuesday. Washington has previously worried about India antagonising Pakistan and preferred New Delhi retain a modest profile in the Afghan conflict restricted to troop training and infrastructure development. But officials briefing reporters before Panetta landed in New Delhi Tuesday said US policy has evolved as the Nato-led force prepares to withdraw combat troops by the end of 2014.

4 soldiers, 20 militants killed in attack on Salala check post

Ghallanai—At least 20 militants were killed and four troops martyred in a clash when unidentified miscreants attacked a security check post here late Monday night. According to details, unknown militants equipped with heavy automated weapons stormed Salala check post located in Mohmand Agency near Pak Afghan border. Four security personnel were killed in the attack by the militants. The security forces retaliated the attack with full force killing 20 militants and forcing others to flee leaving bodies of their dead on the scene.

Transit of Venus: The stages of today’s rare sun crossing

TODAY’S historic Venus transit is a marathon event lasting nearly seven hours, but skywatchers who don’t have that kind of time can break it down into a handful of key milestones.Venus treks across the sun’s face from Earth’s perspective today (June 5; June 6 in much of the Eastern Hemisphere), marking the last such Venus transit until 2117. Few people alive today will be around to see the next transit, which makes the rare celestial sight a premier event in the astronomical and skywatching communities. The Venus-sun show will begin around 6 p.m. EDT (2200 GMT) and end at roughly 12:50 a.m. EDT (0450 GMT) Wednesday, with the exact timing varying by a few minutes from point to point around the globe. First contact