Islamabad, Jan 16 : The PPP-led government may have publicly criticized former President Musharraf for the present financial mess, but in its official documents, it has reportedly appreciated the economic policies of the previous regime as they served as a strong base for seeking loans from multilateral donors and friends of Pakistan.

To public, the PPP-led coalition partners have been blaming the Musharraf regime in public speeches for fudging economic figures to paint a rosy picture.

Islamabad - When Malala Yousafzai and her friends left their school in Pakistan's restive Swat district last week, they were not sure whether they would ever be able to return.

The teenagers are among 120,000 girls whose future hangs in the balance as hundreds of schools and colleges in the scenic valley ceased to function Friday, one day after the deadline given by the Taliban for a complete ban on female education.

"We sat there in our classroom and wept in chorus. Our dreams were shattered and there was no one to help us," said 14-year-old Malala, who wanted to become a pilot. "I had thought I was destined for the stars but they are pushing me to the caves."

Islamabad, Jan. 16 : Fuming over the government's decision to give the highest national honour of the country to the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher, cricketer turned politician, and the chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan has said that he will surrender the Hilal-e-Pakistan award in protest.

Islamabad, Jan 16: Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani has said the army is ready to deal with any threats to the country's security.

"Pakistan Army is fully prepared to meet the challenges," the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) quoted General Kayani as saying while chairing the 62nd Formation Commanders' Conference at the General Headquarters (GHQ).

General Kayani said such a threat could best be defeated through a comprehensive national effort.

Islamabad, Jan 16 : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said the situation in South Asia will aggravate if India does not behave responsibly.

He warned that India continues to escalate tensions, which is certainly not helpful to the cause of peace, security and stability of the region.

Islamabad, Jan. 16 : The Inter-Services Intelligence agency in Pakistan appears to have launched a coordinated CY-War against the country's former National Security Adviser, Major General (retired) Mahmud Ali Durrani, aimed at proving that he was an American agent in Islamabad working for American and Indian interests.