Washington, Mar 17: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned President Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif that American lawmakers might balk at sending Pakistan more aid if the crisis over the reinstatement of the deposed Chief Justice persisted.

“She warned them that Congressional appropriations would be at risk,” said one US official, who asked not to be named.

Lahore, Mar 17: Former cricketer and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has said the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) was against basic human rights and would be challenged in court.

A private TV channel quoted Khan as saying that incidents like May 12 and the Lal Masjid operation would also be challenged in court.

He said Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had been reinstated through the people’s power and would stand by the people.

Islamabad, Mar 17: Information Minister Qamar-uz-Zaman Kaira has said that Pakistan People’s Party led government had fulfilled promises made by its slain leader Benazir Bhutto, and rejected the impression that there was foreign pressure on the government for the reinstatement.

“The government was not forced by any quarter other than the lawyers and the political parties to announce the restoration of deposed judges”, he told reporters here.

“Deadlocks have never borne good results in the past and the PPP Government has broken the deadlock on judicial issue by showing political maturity and farsightedness,” he said.

Washington  - US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday that Pakistan's political leaders must continue to make compromises to stabilize democratic rule and prevent unrest.

Clinton telephoned over the weekend with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and opposition leader Nawaz Sharif to help diffuse a political crisis after mass demonstrations brought Pakistan to the brink of widespread turmoil.

Islamabad  - As many as people were killed and nearly 20 injured Monday when a bomb ripped through a busy street in the garrison town of Rawalpind that adjoins Pakistan's capital Islamabad, officials said.

Seventeen more people were injured in the explosion that damaged three vehicles near a bus depot in Pir Wadhai area, medical personnel said.

Islamabad - The reinstatement of the Pakistan's sacked top judge is a healthy sign for the fragile democracy but a bad omen for President Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of slain ex-premier Benazir Bhutto, analysts said Monday.

Pakistan's judiciary, under the reinstated and independent-minded Iftikhar Chaudhry, plus re-energised opposition parties with massive street power, is expected to curtail Zardari's tendency to amass powers and run the country by himself.

"He is definitely cornered and probably he is going to remain there," said a political analyst Ayesha Siddiqa.