Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf today directed authorities to launch a “targeted operation” against militants in Quetta following the killing of nearly 90 people in a terror attack in the Shia-dominated southwestern Pakistani city.

Pakistan’s cricketers came under fire Monday after their series defeat in South Africa, with former players blaming the team’s timid approach for their loss in the second Test.

The death toll in a devastating bomb attack that targeted Shia Hazaras in Quetta city of southwestern Pakistan today rose to 81 as several persons died in hospital and bodies were pulled out of the rubble of collapsed buildings, officials said.

External affairs minister Salman Khurshid today said that all procedures were “strictly followed” by the UPA government in the controversial VVIP chopper deal and the matter should not be politicised.

Amidst speculation about a delay in Pakistan’s upcoming general election, President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the polls will be held “on time” so that the foundations of the democratic set-up can be strengthened and the country can move forward.

Kicking-off the first phase of the American pull-out from Afghanistan, US has started using Pakistani land routes to withdraw its military hardware from Afghanistan, with 50 shipping containers moved over the weekend.

Amidst continuing speculation that elements backed by the security establishment are working to delay Pakistan’s general election, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf today said there could be “no room for any delay” in holding the polls.

Oil prices eased on profit-taking in Asian trade today after enjoying healthy gains at the end of last week following encouraging US jobs data, analysts said.

Pakistan’s interior minister Rehman Malik today said he had ordered an inquiry into the death of Indian national Chambail Singh, who died after he was allegedly assaulted by prison staff in Lahore last month.

Underlining that Pakistan and India are standing at the “crossroads of history”, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf today said the bilateral peace process should be “uninterrupted” so that it can produce results.