Islamabad, Feb. 18 : The Pakistan Government has refuted claims of former President General Pervez Musharraf that the authorities are trying to weaken the Army and the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).

Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Minister Sherry Rehman categorically denied the charge by saying: "The Pakistan Army and ISI are important and strong institutions that have always co-operated with the government."

London, Feb. 18 : The unmanned Predator aircrafts which have been targeting militant hideouts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border are being operated from an airbase in southern Pakistan, a Times report has revealed.

"Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is secretly using an airbase in southern Pakistan to launch the Predator drones that observe and attack al-Qaeda and Taleban militants on the Pakistani side of the border with Afghanistan," the Times said.

The revelation is in complete contrast with Islamabad's claims that it had never allowed its airbases to be used by the US led forces.

New Delhi, Feb. 18 : Former Pakistani foreign minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri has said that Pakistan was serious about the investigations into the Mumbai terror attacks.

"Though I am in the opposition but I believe government of Pakistan is very serious. I am among those who, in case of community issues, rise above party lines," Kasuri told reporters on the sidelines of a book release in New Delhi.

Lahore, Feb. 18 : After inking a deal with the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) government for implementation of Islamic law in the Swat Valley, the Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat Muhammadi (TNSM) chief Sufi Muhammad, has expressed his desire of implementation of a similar law over the whole world.

Expressing his hatred for people's rule, Muhammad said Islam does not have any mention of democracy or elections.

Peshawar, Feb. 18 : The inking of the so called `peace deal' between the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) government and Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM) would see several of the captured Talibani operatives walk free due to a `give and take' policy being the cornerstone of the whole deal.

The domestic cricket bans on Imran Farhat, Imran Nazir, Humayun Farhat, Riaz Afridi, Arshad Khan and Taufiq Umar has been suspended.

In a major relief to these players, the Sindh High Court on Monday has allowed them to play in the domestic matches in Pakistan.

With this, the Court, has so far cleared the names of 17 players in total in the local tournaments.