Islamabad, Apr. 17: The head of the radical Lal Masjid (Red Mosque), which was stormed by Pakistani troops in 2007, led thousands of his followers in a Friday prayer meeting and called for the enforcement of Islamic laws across the militancy-plagued country.

Thousands of people crammed into the rebuilt mosque on Friday to hear Aziz lead prayers and deliver a rallying call for opponents of nuclear-armed Pakistan''s shaky democratic order.

Tokyo, Apr. 17 : Friends of Pakistan (FoP) donors on Friday pledged to give Pakistan 5.28 billion dollars to stabilise that strife-torn country.

In a statement, the donors said: "Development partners pledged new financing for Pakistan totalling more than five billion US dollars over the next two years" at the end of the one-day conference here.

Lahore, Apr. 17 : In a recent episode of honor killing in Pakistan, an 18-year-old girl was murdered by her brother-in-law in an area that falls under thejuridiction of the Kahna Police Division.

The victim was identified as Shamim Bibi, whose in-laws alleged that she was having an illicit relationship with a neighbour.

They said she eloped with the man, after which elders of both families interfered and handed her over to her legal husband, Nawaz Ali.

However, her brother-in-law, Azam, shot her to death.

Lahore, Apr. 17 : Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif "appears to be the man of the moment" for the Obama administration, which is increasingly paying great attention to him, the Washington Times claims.

"The United States has realized that he enjoys broad-based support in Pakistan and expects him to play an effective role in the fight against terrorism," the Daily Times quoted Professor Rasul Bakhsh Rais, as saying.

Islamabad, Apr. 17 : To justify their peace deal with the Taliban in the Swat Valley, the Pakistan Government has termed global concerns over the deal with militant over as “premature.”

“The peace accord has the backing of the National Assembly and a vast majority of the people, and it will help bring about peace and prosperity in the region,” The Nation quoted Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit, as saying.

Basit admitted that Pakistan had differences with the United States over the drone attacks on its territory.

Islamabad, Apr. 17 : Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar, who has been included in the national team for the UAE one-day international series against Australia after passing a series of fitness tests, may not be able to play in all five games.

According to the Dawn, Akhtar may have cleared all fitness tests’ following a nod from the team’s medical staff, but the 33 year old bowler seems far from fit.

He shown signs of fatigue during the three day training camp in Lahore.

Aktar’s teammates have also questioned his fitness.