Islamabad, Dec. 30 : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has claimed that he knew the killers of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto but has refused to disclose any detail saying he is waiting for the `right time.'

Who killed Benazir Bhutto? There seems to be no concrete answer even after a year. But President Zardari's claim of knowing the perpetrators of the suicide attack has certainly raised several more questions.

Islamabad, Dec 29 : The Pakistani mountain village of Shalbandi, which is less than 100 miles northwest of Islamabad, has been attacked by a suicide bomber belonging to the Taliban killing 30 people in order to avenge the death of six militants killed by the villagers four months ago.

A suicide car bomber set off an explosion at a school in Shalbandi that was serving as a polling place, as voters lined up to elect a representative to the National Assembly, The New York Times reported.

Islamabad, December 29 : The sales of New Year cards have tumbled down considerably as more and more people now prefer sending cheaper SMS to wish their family and friends.

Shopkeepers also blamed the Internet for the decline during special occasions since it was far more pocket friendly.

While greeting cards cost buyers between Rs. 20 and Rs. 100, an SMS was priced around Re one, and even further cheap if sent to the same network user.

Waqar Ahmad, owner of a bookshop in F-8/3, revealed that people, especially youth, were responsible for the turn, reports the Daily Times.

Islamabad - A moderate 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck north-western Pakistan on Monday, meteorological authorities said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.

The earthquake, at the depth of 140 kilometres, hit at 8:37 am (0337 GMT), the US Geological Survey said. It was centred 106 kilometres north-west of the town of Chitral.

Pakistan Meteorological Department measured the jolts at 5.7 on the Richter scale, while local authorities did not immediately reported any casualties or structural damages.

Pakistan's north-western regions actively experience seismic activity and a 6.4-magnitude earthquake in late October killed more than 250 in the impoverished Balochistan province.

Islamabad  - The luxury Marriott Hotel in Islamabad reopened on Sunday 98 days after it was completely gutted following a suicide truck bombing that killed at least
54 people.

Business tycoon and hotel owner, Sadruddin Hashwani, lit candles in front of pictures of the victims to mark the reopening, which was also attended by US Ambassador Anne W. Patterson.

Hashwani said the hotel was more secure than ever with the implementation of an elaborate security plan that includes a 4.3- metre-high and 4.6-metre-thick bombproof wall along the facade.

The Marriott served as an oasis for diplomats and Pakistan's elite and was also a favourite with foreigners visiting the violence-hit Islamic country.

Islamabad  - A suicide car bomber on Sunday attacked a polling station in Pakistan's troubled North West Frontier Province, killing at least 30 people and wounding around 20, police said.

The bomber rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into the wall of a government school serving as a polling station in Shal Bande village located 10 kilometres from Dagar, the main town in Buner district.

The intense blast destroyed the school building and several nearby shops where different political parties contesting the by-polls on a National Assembly seat had set up their election camps, said Khan Ghalib, a subordinate of Buner police chief.