Lahore, Nov 26 : On the lines of cricket associations in Australia, England and South Africa, Pakistan cricketers have stepped up their efforts to establish a professional association to look after their rights and other welfare activities.

In this regard, Pakistan vice-captain Misbahul Haq had submitted a proposal with the constitution committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Sports Ministry last week, calling for cricketers to have an association.

Lahore, Nov 26 : Human rights and social activists in Pakistan have said that though several laws have been promulgated in the past to counter terrorism, but steps taken by the Punjab government to ensure security in the province couldn’t be effective unless the entire nation evolved a comprehensive strategy against extremism.

They aired these views at a one-day media workshop on the ‘Radicalisation in Pakistan’, here last evening. The workshop was organised by the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS).

Lahore, Nov 25: A delegation of around 112 Hindus has reportedly arrived in Lahore to celebrate the birth anniversary of Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva, at Katas Raj temples.

Katas Raj, a group of temples, is one of important worship places for Hindus in Pakistan. A pond at Katas Raj came into being because of tears of Lord Shiva on the death of his wife Satti.

Lahore, Nov 25 : Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has reportedly backed fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar to play a crucial role in the home series against India in January, saying he still had a few years of international cricket left in him.

Shoaib returned to the Pakistan squad for the series against West Indies in Abu Dhabi but missed all three ODIs due to a calf strain.

Lahore, Nov 25: Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has said that India were a better side against Australia, and that it was because India uses the same SG balls in domestic cricket and against touring sides.

Acknowledging India’s splendid success in recent months, including a 2-0 series win at home against Australia, he said that Indian bowlers had mastered the art of using the SG ball effectively in domestic and first-class cricket.

“India have done really well in recent months and they were the better side against Australia. I think one of the reasons for their success is the balls they use in domestic cricket and against touring sides,” the Daily Times quoted him as saying.

Lahore, Nov 24 : Indus Water Commissioner (Pakistan) chief Jamaat Ali Shah has said that India would make Pakistan barren by 2014 by stopping its water and filling its Baglihar Dam at an increased pace.

Addressing a seminar at the Lahore Press Club, Shah said that India had constructed dams at various rivers and continued doing so.

Speakers from different farmers’ organisations said that India had violated the Indus Water Treaty by constructing Baglihar Dam. They said that if the Pakistani government remained silent, India would destroy Pakistan’s economy and ‘capture the country without a battle’.