Islamabad, Sept 23: Pakistan has reportedly assured Afghanistan of taking all “necessary measures” to ensure the safety of its abducted ambassador Abdul Khaliq Farahi in Pakistan.

Islamabad, Sept 23: On Monday, the first working day in Pakistan after Saturday’s hotel blast claiming 60 lives, streets and shopping centres wore a deserted look and fear was still visible on people’s faces.

All major shopping areas, including Aabpara Market, Melody Market, Super Market, Jinnah Super Market and hotels in Blue Area, which used to be lousy with shoppers from the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and other suburban areas, gave the look of some “one-horse town”, reported the Daily Times.

London, Sept 23: The recent US’ raids inside Pakistani territory aimed at eliminating suspected terrorists but killed innocent civilians in the action, led to Saturday’s hotel blast in Islamabad killing 60 people, Pakistan's ambassador to the UK Wajid Shamsul Hassan, has said.

“We hope the US will change policy because this is what is needed,” The Independent quoted Hassan as saying.

Islamabad, Sept 23 : The Pakistan Army has alleged that a girl was killed on its side of the border after Indian troops fired at its troops at the Line of Control (LoC).

However, terming the charge as ''baseless'', Indian Brigadier Gopala Krishnan Mural said that militants from Pakistan infiltrated into India and triggered a gun-battle that left several of the insurgents dead.

Pakistan Army spokesman Major Murad Khan said the girl has been identified as Rania.

Islamabad, Sept 23: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation, which was in Islamabad to hold technical consultations with the Pakistani authorities on the macro-economic stabilisation plan, has reportedly cut short its visit due to "security reasons" after Saturday's hotel blast killing 60 people.

The delegation, which was to stay in Pakistan till Wednesday, flew back to Washington on Monday due to "security reasons", reported the Daily Times.

Islamabad, Sept 23 : Denying media reports that Saturday’s hotel blast was targeted at the Americans, the US embassy in Islamabad has said that there was no evidence to prove this suggestion.

After the blast which claimed 60 lives, including four foreigners, it was widely believed that Americans was targeted by the extremists, as the only five-star hotel in Islamabad was frequented by foreigners, especially the Americans.