Islamabad, Aug 15: If sources close to the parleys between the Presidency and the PPP-PML-N combine are to be believed, the coalition government has offered indemnity and security to President Pervez Musharraf if he stepped down from Presidency before Impeachment proceedings begin Monday.

According to the sources, PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif has agreed to change his rigid stance against the President who is likely to finalise a decision in the next few days.

Islamabad, Aug. 14 : On the occasion of its 61st Independence Day, Pakistan has renamed Islamabad Airport and the Rawalpindi General Hospital after former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Government notifications to this effect were sent to the airport administration. The airport will henceforth be known as the Benazir Bhutto International Airport, reports The News.

Similarly, Rawalpindi General Hospital has been renamed as the Benazir Bhutto Hospital.

Lawyers for alleged Lady Al Qaeda Aafia Siddiqui have challenged the government to turn over evidence of her evil plans.

Denying that she was carrying a pocket book of evil at the time of her arrest, her lawyer, Elaine Sharp told the New York Daily News: "Put up or shut up, that is what I say. If they have it, why haven''t they shown us?"

The Daily News reported Wednesday that the MIT-educated neuroscientist was apparently plotting terror attacks on several city landmarks - including the Statue of Liberty and Times Square.

Srinagar, Kashmir - One person was killed and three injured as an Indian paramilitary force fired on protestors Thursday in the heart of Srinagar, the summer capital of India's northern Jammu and Kashmir state, officials and witnesses said.

The gunfire broke a brief early morning calm after a night that saw thousands of people defying a curfew and rallying after local television reports said security forces had stormed houses and beat up residents, including women.

At least 23 people - all Muslims - have been killed in the region over the past three days and more than 400 injured as security forces attempted to break up demonstrations over a land row that took an anti-Indian turn.

Wagah Aug. 14 : Border guards of India and Pakistan today exchanged sweets and congratulated each other on the occasion of 61st anniversary of Pakistan’s Independence Day.

"We accept your greeting and with the grace of god will wish you on your Independence Day tomorrow," said Brigadier Qasir Khan Tareen, Deputy Director-General, Pakistan Rangers. 

Pakistanis in India also celebrated the 61st anniversary of their independence from the British colonial rule on Thursday.

Khar (Pak), Aug 14: In the wake of air strikes over the past few days, militants in the Bajaur tribal area in Pakistan are reportedly restricting people from leaving the area, in a bid to use them as human shields from air attacks.

People have been leaving Bajaur for safety over the past few week, and going to Dir, Peshawar and other areas in NWFP.

Air force planes continue to bomb different areas in Bajaur Agency, even as 24 people, including some militants, were killed yesterday.

Local people said militants had stopped families in Mamond tehsil from leaving the area. “Militants forced the fleeing tribesmen to stay back. The men were given Kalashnikovs and asked to keep their women in homes,” the Dawn quoted one Mamond as saying.