Kabul, Apr 28 : Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has asked US officials not to panic over Taliban advances along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan.

Qureshi said Pakistan had sent terrorists in its tribal areas a `clear signal' that they must lay down arms, as he sought to quell Western fears raised by a recent peace deal between the government and the Taliban in Swat.

Peshawar, Apr 28 : Exactly 56 percent of the respondents polled have described Afghanistan's Taliban as "Islamic heroes fighting western occupation."

In a survey conducted by Community Appraisal and Motivation Programme (CAMP) with the help of the British High Commission in Islamabad, a paltry 12.1 percent called them "a terrorist group", the Daily Times reports.

Over 54 percent respondents said they were "dissatisfied with life" in FATA in general.

Lahore, Apr 28 : Differences have surfaced during the recent Pakistan Muslim League-N Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting chaired by former premier Nawaz Sharif over support to the PPP-led Government to protect the interests of Pakistan while others have advocated for solo flight.

Islamabad, Apr 28 : Pakistan’s Tableeghi Jamaat has denounced the enforcement of the Sharia at gunpoint, religious extremism, militancy and terrorism.

Leaders of the Jamaat also called for promoting inter-faith harmony, tolerance, human rights, social justice and peace.

They were speaking at the conclusion of a three-day congregation near here, The News reports.

“Shariah cannot be enforced at gunpoint,” declared Haji Abdul Wahab, Amir of the Tableeghi Jamaat, Pakistan.

Had that been the case, Allah Almighty would have sent fierce angels to protect prophets and enforce their faiths, he added.

Mingora, Apr 28 : Tension in the Swat Valley is fast growing as the Taliban continues armed patrolling and threatened a group of lawyers and recalcitrant militants. It also captured a telephone exchange in Sataal and looted two NGO offices in Saidu Sharif while preparing for a showdown with security forces.

Meanwhile, US spy planes flew over Matta, Kabal, Charbagh and Khwazakhela as Maulana Fazlullah was chairing a meeting of his commanders at an undisclosed location in the valley to devise future strategy.

Karachi, Apr 28 : The Taliban has reportedly warned co-education institutions in Karachi to close down or face consequences, spreading panic among colleges and schools in the city.

Various educational institutions, including schools, colleges and universities have received threatening letters and phone calls from the Taliban.

A source privy to the matter revealed that most schools have an affiliation with the Cambridge Board, where male and female students study together without discrimination.