Islamabad, Feb. 11 : Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has terminated the services of three ambassadors-at-large appointed during the previous Musharraf regime.

The shock announcement severs government ties with Sharifuddin Pirzada, Ahsanullah Khan and Hameed Kidwai.

Officials close to the Prime Minister''s Office told the Dawn, that the sackings reflect the government's resolve to purge the administration of the remnants of Musharraf era.

These officials had served the dictatorship, and therefore it was felt, could not be friends of democracy.

Peshawar, Feb. 11 : US Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, visited the Mohmand tribal agency in north west Pakistan on Wednesday.

"He went to the headquarters of the Mohmand Rifles and was given a briefing about military operations," the Dawn quoted a government official in the region, as saying.

Holbrooke travelled to Mohmand, one of seven of Pakistan''s ethnic Pashtun tribal regions bordering Afghanistan, by helicopter.

Karachi, Feb. 11 : Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ijaz Butt has vowed to improve security arrangements for the 2011 World Cup in the backdrop of International Cricket Council deciding to move the 2009 Champions Trophy out of Pakistan due to security concerns raised by various teams.

"Pakistan would improve on the existing facilities for the World Cup while the International Cricket Council (ICC) would also make security arrangements," Butt was quoted by The News, as saying.

Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will jointly host the 10th world cup 2011.

Islamabad, Feb. 11 : The Pakistan Government on Wednesday registered a case against Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist captured alive during the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

Media reports said that the charges were filed against Kasab and 13 other people on the basis of a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) probe into the Mumbai attacks.

Islamabad ordered the FIA probe after India alleged that the Mumbai attacks were plotted in Pakistan.

Currently, Kasab is in the custody of Mumbai police.

Peshawar/Khar (NWFP, Pakistan), Feb. 11 : The Pakistani Taliban on Wednesday threatened to destroy all schools in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) if government troops did not leave the area within three days.

According to the Dawn, the ultimatum was given to force the government to halt military operations in the tribal area of Bajaur or face a `massive attack' on the main town of Khar.

Lahore, Feb. 11 : Banned Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif may have something to cheer as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hinted that he may regain his spot in the national squad after completion of the penalty imposed by the Indian Premier League (IPL).

"Mohammad Asif may regain his place in the Pakistan cricket team after his one-year ban ends while he may also be included in central contract," The News quoted, PCB chief Ijaz Butt, as saying.