Islamabad, Jan. 16 : Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has written a new year greeting letter to his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh and told him that his government has formally informed India about the steps taken in response to the international community's demands in connection with Mumbai attacks.

According to The News, Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Salmna Bashir handed over the letter to Indian high commissioner Satyabrata Pal in a meeting.

Islamabad, Jan 16 : The PPP-led government may have publicly criticized former President Musharraf for the present financial mess, but in its official documents, it has reportedly appreciated the economic policies of the previous regime as they served as a strong base for seeking loans from multilateral donors and friends of Pakistan.

To public, the PPP-led coalition partners have been blaming the Musharraf regime in public speeches for fudging economic figures to paint a rosy picture.

Islamabad - When Malala Yousafzai and her friends left their school in Pakistan's restive Swat district last week, they were not sure whether they would ever be able to return.

The teenagers are among 120,000 girls whose future hangs in the balance as hundreds of schools and colleges in the scenic valley ceased to function Friday, one day after the deadline given by the Taliban for a complete ban on female education.

"We sat there in our classroom and wept in chorus. Our dreams were shattered and there was no one to help us," said 14-year-old Malala, who wanted to become a pilot. "I had thought I was destined for the stars but they are pushing me to the caves."

Lahore, Jan 16 : Retired Air Marshal and Tehreek-e-Istaqlal chief, Asghar Khan anticipates military intervention sooner than later, as the present Pakistan Government has failed miserably during its nearly yearlong rule.

Addressing the general house of the Lahore High Court Bar Association on Thursday, Khan said the present situation in the country is of serious concern, as performance of the rulers is almost nil.

Karachi, Jan. 16 : Following receiving details by International Cricket Council (ICC) about the detention of fast bowler Mohammad Asif in Dubai, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formed a three man committee to inquire into the whole issue.

"A three-man inquiry committee appointed by the Board will soon begin its investigations against the pacer, who is currently suspended by the Board," The News quoted a PCB spokesman, as saying.

The ICC had also asked the PCB to explain its stand and future course of action in the issue.

Lahore, Jan 16 : Pakistan National Assembly member and son-in-law of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Captain (retired) Mohammad Safdar, has asked President Asif Ali Zardari to quit as he has failed to honour the commitments made to the people.

Safdar was in Mardan to attend a meeting of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz wherein Farooq Khan Hoti, son of Federal Minister Khwaja Muhammad Khan Hoti belonging to the Awami National Party announced that he was joining PML-N, The News reported.

Addressing a meeting of the PML-N workers at Hoti, Mardan, Safdar said Zardari should step down, as he could not live up to the expectations of the people, and had failed to fulfil the commitments made to the masses during electioneering.