Islamabad, Nov. 25 : Home Secretary-level talks between Pakistan and India began in Islamabad on Tuesday, with Pakistan''s Secretary Interior Syed Kamal Shah and India''s Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta leading their respective delegations.

According to Interior Ministry officials the issues that were on the agenda for discussion included counter terrorism, drug trafficking and issues pertaining to civilian prisoners - especially fishermen - of both countries lodged in each other''s jails.

Islamabad, Nov 25 : The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the UK have reportedly distanced themselves from the frequent drone attacks in Pakistan, said Senate Standing Committee on Defence Chairman Nisar Memon last evening.

The two have asked the Pakistan government to raise the issue (of drone attacks) with the US.

Islamabad, Nov 25 : International relief organization Oxfam and its allies of the “We Can Campaign” have reportedly planned 1000 events across Pakistan at district level to mark the ‘International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women’.

Spread over 127 days from November 25, 2008, the 1000 events will include seminars, rallies, fun fairs, interactive dialogues and meetings with community members, theatrical performances, debates in educational institutions and much more, reported the Daily Times.

The events would take place in districts where the incidence of gender-based violence is high, added the paper.

New Delhi, Nov. 25 : Terrorism, counterfeit currency, drug -trafficking, exchange of prisoners and visa regime will be high on the agenda at the fifth round of Home Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan to be held in Islamabad today.

The talks are part of the on-going composite dialogue process between both nations. These talks will be held in the backdrop of the recently initiated cross-LoC trade which is being seen as a big step towards bringing both countries closer.

Peshawar, Nov 25: Security forces in NWFP claimed to have pushed the Taliban operatives out of Peshawar after two-week long operation in the area killing at least 25 suspected Taliban.

NWFP capital Peshawar is said to be a vital hub for military and relief efforts in the Tribal Areas and lies on a supply route for foreign troops fighting in Afghanistan.

Security forces backed by warplanes and artillery have swept through the region between Peshawar and the Tribal Areas, the Daily Times quoted security officials while addressing media persons last evening.

Karachi, Nov 25: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that his government had found that no evidence that former president Pervez Musharraf had permitted the US to launch strikes inside Pakistan.

The prime minister said that according to the record of the General Headquarters and the Foreign Office, the former president had not allowed the US to conduct strikes inside the country.