London, Nov. 22 : Doubts are being expressed in British Government circles about a new law that will see the minimum age at which foreigners can come to Britain to get married being increased.

There is a view that this law will invite opposition from immigrant communities, particularly Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, who have been involved in most forced marriage cases in the country.

Karachi, Nov 22 : Temperamental Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who is looking for a successful Test return, has received a shot in the arm in the form new chief selector Abdul Qadir.

Given Shoaib’s past track record — his habit of flirting with controversy and a knack for picking up injuries — Qadir still says Shoaib is a big asset for Pakistan cricket.

“Shoaib Akhtar is an asset. He is a wicket-taking bowler, who still has a lot to offer to Pakistan cricket,” The News quoted Qadir, as saying.

Khar (Pakistan), Nov 22: Twenty-two militants were killed and five others sustained injuries when Pakistani security forces pounded the hideouts of suspected militants in the Damadola area of troubled Bajaur Agency.

Sources said security forces pounded the hideouts of militants in Damadola, Tanikhwar, Sapray, Charmang, Kotki, Zorbandar, Glokas Shenkot, Kharkay and Gutki areas of Mamond and Nawagai Tehsils on Friday.

Islamabad, Nov 22: Pakistani women parliamentarians’ have formed a caucus with the objective of safeguarding women’s rights and promoting women empowerment.

Women members of the National Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution regarding this.

Spelling out the objectives of the “Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus,” National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza said the caucus was constituted with an aim of attaining a broad-based consensus among women members of parliament on an agreed agenda for women development, their empowerment and emancipation.

London, Nov 22: US missiles strikes in North Waziristan have reportedly killed al-Qaeda’s operatives Rashid Rauf and Abu Al-Asr Al Misri on Saturday.

A US spy plane fired two missiles early Saturday at the house of one Khaliq Noor in Alikhel area of North Waziristan, killing five people, including three foreigners, and injuring six others.

Rashid Rauf (27) was killed along with at least three other militants in the attack on the house of a local tribesman in the North Waziristan area, The Telegraph reported.

Islamabad - Three policemen were killed and one injured Saturday when Islamic militants targeted a security check post in Pakistan's North Western Frontier Province, an official said.

The attack took place at 3:45 am in the Lora area of Bannu district, about 200 kilometres south of the provincial capital, Peshawar.

"Around two dozen or more Taliban besieged the post and fired several rockets at it," said a police officer Farid Khan. "Our officers offered tough resistance but they were outnumbered by the militants."