Pakistanis celebrate Eid with religious fervour

ISLAMABAD: The first day of Eidul Fitr is being celebrated across Pakistan with religious fervour on Wednesday.
Millions of Muslims offered Eid prayers in mosques and open places.
People offered special prayers for the solidarity, prosperity and integrity of Pakistan and unity amongst Muslims.

11 killed in powerful blast outside Quetta mosque

QUETTA:
A powerful blast killed at least 11 and injured 13 others when a bomb was detonated on Gulistan Road in the Murriabad area of Quetta on Wednesday.
Capital City Police Officer Quetta (CCPO) Ahsan Mahboob said that the blast was a suicide attack.

Pakistani courts let 3 out of every 4 terror suspects go: US State Dept

LONDON: A US State Department report published last week said that Pakistan was incapable of prosecuting terror suspects, since three in four defendants are acquitted.
According to a report in The Telegraph, in the State Department’s 2010 report, the US criticizes its frontline ally in the war on terror of failing to outlaw militant Islamic terror groups, since they escaped bans by changing names.

No alternative to ties with Pakistan: Panetta,

WASHINGTON:
Keeping in mind Pakistan’s nuclear assets, its role in Afghanistan and the fact that both the US and Pakistan are partners in the war against terrorism, Washington has no choice but to maintain relations with Islamabad, said Defence Secretary Leon Panetta on Tuesday.
Addressing a packed audience of Congressmen, policymakers and students at the National Defence University, Panetta said that the US and Pakistan have ‘a very complicated relationship.’

Govt to form judicial commission for Bugti murder.

QUETTA: The federal government has decided to form a judicial commission to probe the murder of Nawab Akbar Bugti, Express 24/7 reported on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, speaking to the media after a special cabinet meeting in Quetta, said the judicial commission will be formed within a week. The government will write a letter to the chief justice for the appointment of the commission’s head.

AJK elections: Polling underway in KP?

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA: The polling for by-elections in LA-41 constituency of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has started in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Express News reported.

Earlier, elections in the constituency were postponed last on an account of allegations of rigging.

Private security guards: On the safe side

Over the years, the reassuring whistle of a vigilant chowkidar has been replaced by panic buttons and gun-toting guards. House walls used to be covered with broken glass to deter intruders, but barbed wire is now commonly found at upscale residences.

Since 9/11, security firms have opened up shop in major cities, and over a hundred have been registered in the past three years. According to estimates, at least 600 security companies exist, though many of them are non-functional.