Karachi, Jan 8 - A huge explosion took place in this commercial capital of Pakistan Friday, a media report said.

The blast occurred in a house located in Balida town area, Geo TV reported. (IANS)

Karachi, Jan 7 : U. S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson has said that delay in issuing of visas to American inspectors, who will train Pakistani employees working at Port Qasim, has brought the Obama administration’s container pre-screening expansion plans to a standstill.

Karachi, Jan. 6 : Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif has said that the abolishment of the 17th Amendment is much more important than removing the ban on becoming prime minister for a third time.

Answering a question whether he was demanding the abolishment of 17th Amendment to ensure that the ban on becoming prime minister for a third time is removed, he said: "I do not know what were the reasons for linking other issues to the repeal of the 17th Amendment."

Karachi, Jan 5 :Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that the country is pursuing a pro-Pakistan foreign policy.

Addressing the media in Karachi, Qureshi said: “Our policy is pro-Pakistan. It is neither pro-American nor anti-American.”

“Every country has its own interests to safeguard. Pakistan will protect its own interests which we are doing,” he added.

Karachi, Jan. 5 : Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik has confirmed that the Asura blast, which killed 42 people in Karachi on December 28, was not a suicide attack.

On Monday, the Pakistani investigation team stated that the bomb was planted inside a box, which had the portrait of a killed leader of a banned religious outfit.

A complete report on the blast will be submitted within two to three days, The News quoted Malik, as saying.

Karachi, Jan. 5 : President Asif Ali Zardari has clarified that Pakistan was a peace-loving country, and had no intention of participating in an arms race in South Asia.

His remarks came while he was addressing a passing-out parade of the Pakistan Naval Academy (PNA).

“Our desire for peace must not be taken as a sign of weakness. Our forces are ready to meet all the challenges and guard [the country] against all external and internal threats,” the Daily Times quoted Zardari, as saying.

Karachi, Jan 4 : Pakistan Monday termed as irresponsible Indian Army chief Gen Deepak Kapoor's statement on being capable of fighting a two-front war with Pakistan and China. He said Kapoor had done no service to his country or the region.

"I am surprised at the statement of the Indian army chief. On the one hand, India talks of dialogue and than it backtracks on its own words," Online news agency quoted Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi as telling reporters here.

Karachi, Jan 4 : Pakistan's policy of pursuing the path of peace should not be considered its weakness, President Asif Ali Zardari said Monday while stressing that the armed forces were fully prepared to face any internal and external threats.

Addressing the 92nd passing out parade of the Pakistan Naval Academy here, he said Pakistan was a peace-loving country and was not involved in an arms race in the region. At the same time, its forces were fully capable of facing any threat on its borders, Online news agency quoted Zardari as saying.

Karachi, Jan. 2 : Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has admitted that law enforcement agencies in the country are incapable of handling wide scale unrest as they are ill-equipped and untrained to counter such activities.

Addressing businessmen at the Federation House here, Malik called on the business community of the country to help the government cater to the needs of the people and enhance the capacity and the capability of the security agencies.

Karachi, Dec. 30 : Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that officials have found critical clues that may lead to the masterminds of the Karachi suicide attack, which targeted a Muharram procession.

“The recent interception of a van and recovery of weapons underneath its seats and the arrest of those planning to blow the Karachi refinery has given a lead and the government would soon succeed in arresting the culprits,” The Dawn quoted Shah, as saying.

Shah said the CCTV images of the blast, in which 40 people were killed and over 90 received injuries, has provided important lead to the investigating agencies.

Karachi, Dec. 29  : The death toll in Monday’s suicide attack which targeted a Muharram procession at MA Jinnah Road here has reached 40.

The blast occurred when a suicide bomber blew himself up near the Light House at the MA Jinnah Road when the city’s main Ashura procession was passing by.

At least 30 people were killed on the spot and over 95 sustained serious injuries.

The blast triggered a stampede and panic among the participants of the procession. Some gunshots were also heard which aggravated the situation, The News reports.

Karachi, Dec 28 : At least 25 people were killed and scores of people wounded on Monday after a powerful blast ripped through the Karachi’s main Muharram procession at MA Jinnah Road.

The blast struck the city’s main Ashura procession near Tibet Center at MA Jinnah Road.

Earlier in the day, hundreds of mourning processions converged to Nishtar Park, from where they marched down the MA Jinnah Road. As the mourners reached the Tibet Center, a powerful blast took place.

Karachi, Dec. 28 : A suicide explosion in Muzaffarabad city killed at least 15 people and left over 100 injured, while another explosion near a Muharram procession in Karachi injured 35 people, police said.

In Muzaffarabad, a suicide bomber blew himself up when he was intercepted by security personnel guarding a Muharram procession. The procession was passing close to a police barricade in front of the Imambargah on CMH Road at about 6.30 p. m. when the bomber struck.

Karachi, Dec 26 : A close relative of slain Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto has accused her widower President Asif Ali Zardari of tampering with evidence relating to the assassination.

Mumtaz Bhutto, a cousin of Benazir's father and former president Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Tandojam, in Sindh's Hyderabad's district.

He also lamented that two years after the assassination, neither had the killers been arrested nor had a case been registered.

Karachi, Dec. 26 : Following the Pakistan Supreme Court’s advice to the government to use the services of eunuchs to recover outstanding loan amounts, the transgender community in the country is excited and ready to offer their help, but only if they are given the same commission as their Indian counterparts.

Some of the members of the community said they are ready to help the authorities in their own ‘traditional’ style.

Karachi, Dec. 26 : Former Sindh Governor Kamal Azfar has blamed the spy agencies of the US, Israel and India (CIA, Mossad, and RAW) for running a covert campaign to destabilise Pakistan.

Azfar said the CIA, Mossad and India’s Research and Analysis (RAW) were not only aiming to destabilise Pakistan, but they were also working to subvert the country’s nuclear capabilities.

Karachi, Dec. 26 : Following the Pakistan Government’s announcement to give five percent job reservation to minorities in all government departments, it has been revealed that Hindus and Christians continue to face discrimination in government departments, as they are mostly being allotted low-level jobs such as that of a sweeper.

Karachi, Dec 25 : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that certain hidden forces are conspiring against democracy and the government in the country.

Addressing a meeting of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in Karachi, Zardari said some people were aware of the conspiracies against the Government and asserted that his party will take all decisions according to Pakistan’s Constitution.

Karachi, Dec 23 : Former Indian Cricket League (ICL) rebel Mohammad Sami Wednesday bowled Karachi Blues to an emphatic 141-run triumph over Habib Bank in the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy - Pakistan's premier first-class event - just hours before boarding a flight for Melbourne to join his teammates for the Boxing Day Test against Australia.

The 28-year-old Sami picked up six for 38, including the prized scalp of former Pakistan captain Younis Khan, to lead Karachi Blues to a memorable title-winning triumph here at the National Stadium.

Karachi, Dec 23 :  Pakistan pacer Umar Gul's participation in the three-match Test series against Australia is doubtful because of a knee injury.

The initial MRI reports have suggested that Gul might need several weeks to recover from the knee injury, sources said.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to rush fast bowler Mohammad Sami to Australia ahead of the first Test beginning at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from Dec 26. Sami will fly for Melbourne Wednesday night.