Lahore, Apr. 4: Religious scholars and clerics across Pakistan have condemned the public whipping of a
17-year-old girl by the Taliban in Swat.

The Taliban had alleged that the girl had illicit relations with her father in law, as she had gone out in his presence, instead of her husband.

Girl’s father-in-law was a na-mehram (stranger) for her and she should not have left home with him, the Daily Times quoted them, as saying.

Lahore, Apr. 4 : The list of controversies and scandals is getting longer by the day for banned Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif, as he has now been accused of being a `home-wrecker' by a film actor Babrak Shah.

According to The Daily Times, Shah has accused Asif of destroying his marital life.

"I was happily married to Veena when Asif interrupted my married life by wooing Veena and he succeeded," Shah said.

Shah said he has already divorced Veena Malik, a film and TV actor herself, in the presence of Asif.

Lahore, Apr. 3 : Months of suppressive acts and attacks on educational institutions, teachers, and students has created a `shocking situation' in the Swat Valley with over 100 girls' school being destroyed completely, the United Nations has said.

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Director-General Koichiro Matsuura said education suffered a lot due to the Taliban banning girls' from attending schools.

Matsuura said school buildings suffered huge loss due to the spreading `lawlessness' in the valley.

Lahore, Apr. 2 : Cricketer turned politician Imran Khan has strongly opposed US aid saying the assistance being offered by Washington has resulted in the Pak Army killing its own civilians.

Khan termed the US aid as `stringed', and one which would not serve the real purpose of establishing peace in the region.

Lahore, Apr. 2 : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt has said that Pakistani players who sided with the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) would only be considered for selection in the national squad after they terminate their contracts with the ICL.

"The only way out for them is to first resign and then terminate their contracts with the ICL then they can be considered for selection," The Daily Times quoted Butt, as saying.

Lahore, Apr. 2 : Pakistan intelligence agencies have warned that 14 trained militants have entered Lahore and Islamabad to carry out attacks similar to the Manawan police training academy strike.

According to sources, these terrorists are hiding in the cities in the garb of preachers.

The investigative agencies have also asked the concerned authorities to beef up security in and around all government establishments, luxury hotels and other important public places.

Meanwhile, in Peshawar officials said that they have confirmed reports that seven suicide bombers were planning to carry out attacks on the lines of Manawan on government installations in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).