Lahore, Apr. 27 : Cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan has said that Tehrik-i-Nifaz Shariat-i-Muhammadi (TNSM) chief Sufi Mohammad is violating the teachings of the Quran.

"Sufi Mohammad is not just violating the Swat accord; he is going against the Holy Quran by breaking promises," Khan, the chief of the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf, said.

He condemned the TNSM chief for terming the country's Constitution and judicial system as `un-Islamic'.

Lahore, Apr. 26 : Former Pakistan High Commissioner to Britain Akbar Ahmad has said that it is very important for Islamabad to safeguard the tribal regions along the Afghan border because once this territory caves in to the hands of the extremists, the task to prevent the whole country from being toppled over by the insurgents would become much more difficult.

"If you lose them, then you lose Pakistan, followed by Afghanistan, The Daily Times quoted Ahmad, as saying.

Ahmed, however said that the `existential threat' to Pakistan is overrated.

Lahore, Apr. 26 : Pakistan Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Athar Abbas has said that the decision to initiate a military offensive against the Taliban rests with the political leadership of the country.

Responding to allegations that the army lacks will and capaability to take on the might of the Taliban, General Abbas said that the army certainly has the will to thwart any further advancement of the insurgents.

Lahore, Apr 26 : Alarmed over thousands of Taliban militants pouring into the Swat Valley and spreading to other areas, leading US dailies have warned that Pakistan with its 176 million people and its pivotal position in the region is "more than likely to collapse into a growing civil war."

US special envoy to the region Richard Holbrooke does not mince words: "If the situation with Pakistan continues to deteriorate, success in the region will be very elusive."

Lahore, Apr. 25: Former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has said that he is ready to assume charge of the country once again if the situation does not improve.

In an interview to a private television channel, Musharraf said he would not mind serving another term if he could bring on the change the nation desperately needs currently.

Musharraf said he decided to step down because he felt that if he continued to hold the post he would have been rendered an "impotent" president.

Lahore, Apr. 25 : The Lahore High Court (LHC) enquiry tribunal formed to investigate the terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, has in its final report blamed security officials `criminal negligence' as responsible for the audacious strike.

The 450-page tribunal report has recommended that stern action should be taken against several top police officials who were given the responsibility to provide a fool-proof security cover to the visiting team.