Washington, Oct 24 : The US has reportedly welcomed the offensive launched by Pakistani security forces in the tribal areas in the recent weeks, saying that as a result of the move, fewer foreign fighters were now slipping into Afghanistan.

In a media briefing, US Defence Department spokesman Geoff Morrell welcomed “stepped-up operations” by the Pakistani military in Peshawar, and in Swat in particular, over the past two months.

“It is stepped up not just in terms of tempo, but in terms of effectiveness. As a result, we have seen some improvement in the flow of foreign fighters across the border into Afghanistan,” the Daily Times quoted Morrell as saying.

Peshawar, Oct 24 : At least 35 Taliban were killed in the Bajaur Agency when Pakistan security forces carried out ground and air strikes there last evening, Frontier Constabulary (FC) sources said.

Jet fighters continued targeting suspected Taliban hideouts in Loyesam and Charmang, they said and added that eight associates of Taliban commander Maulvi Omer were killed in an attack on a hideout in Badan.

Ground forces pounded the Taliban positions with artillery late on Wednesday.

Islamabad- A suspected US missile strike Thursday killed 10 people and wounded four others in Pakistan's restive tribal region along the Afghan border, as the country reiterated that the frontiers would be defended "at all costs."

Two missiles targeted an Islamic seminary, Sirajul Uloom, in Dandai Darpakhel village, located some 3 kilometres from Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan tribal district, at around 2:30 am (2030 GMT), security officials and residents said.

Singapore - Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) and Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate for the benefit of the financial services industries in Singapore and Pakistan, officials said Thursday.

The MOU aims to foster a closer relationship between the two exchanges.

The pact, which was signed in Singapore on Wednesday, includes sharing best practices regarding each exchange's products as well as the operation and governance of their respective markets.

"This MoU fosters a closer relationship between the two exchanges. We look forward to working with KSE to help develop our respective financial markets," said SGX chief executive officer Hsieh Fu Hua.

London, Oct 23 : Top Pakistan Opposition leaders have said that the country was heading towards its worst ever crisis, and with the renewed insurgency it was “on the edge”.

“Pakistan is going through the worst crisis of its history,” said to a leaked letter signed by the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the main opposition leader in Pakistan.

A similar view is shared by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, another opposition leader, who says that the political and economic meltdown "is leading to a sort of anarchy in Pakistan". “How does a country collapse?” the former cricketer asked.