Islamabad - Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday took the oath of office as president of Pakistan after his weekend election.

Abdul Hamid Dogar, chief justice of the Supreme Court, administered the oath at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, or President House.

Wearing a navy suit and white shirt, Zardari pledged to uphold the constitution and to do his utmost to preserve and protect the nation.

Karachi, Sep 9: Professional beggars, mostly women and children, can be seen in the streets and shopping centers of Karachi throughout the year, but their number increases greatly during the holy month of Ramazan.

Initiator Human Development Foundation (IHDF) President Rana Asif Habib said that normally there are around 100,000 beggars in the city but during Ramazan, the average number of beggars surpasses one million.

Lahore, Sep 9 : The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has invited comments and suggestions on a draft code of ethics adopted at a recent international media summit attended by journalists, editors, publishers and members of the civil society.

The summit was organised by the PFUJ and the International Federation of Journalists in Lahore on August 2.

The following Code of Principles for the Conduct of Journalism in Pakistan is based upon the belief that fair, balanced and independent journalism is essential for good governance, effective public administration and the capacity of people in Pakistan to achieve genuine democracy and peace.

Washington, Sep 9: There is no quick way to wiping out militancy along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas, British envoy Rory Stewart has said.

Stewart, who is an expert on Pakistan and Afghanistan, also warned anti-terrorism coalition forces against pursuing any aggressive military policy in the Tribal Areas.

He said that “there is no silver bullet out there” to enforce full security and stability in a stipulated timeframe.

Islamabad, Sep 9: Pakistan Muslim League (N) chief Nawz Sharif has told new President Asif Ali Zardari in a lighter vein that “because of your election as president, you have become too serious, not smiling and speaking very little.”

Leading a high-level delegation of his party, the PML-N chief met Zardari on Monday to congratulate him on his election as president of Pakistan.

According to a participant at the meeting, Zardari responded: “No, I am normal.”

Islamabad, Sep 9 : The government will not put up with ‘any hot pursuit’ inside Pakistani territory, Leader of the House Raza Rabbani told the Senate.

Responding to concerns voiced by Jamaat-e-Islami Senator Professor Khursheed Ahmed, Rabbani said there was no ambiguity in the government’s policy on the war on terror, and it would not tolerate attacks against the country’s territorial integrity.

“We have a clear policy that no one will be allowed to violate our territorial, political and economic sovereignty,” he added.