Washington, Aug 14 : A noted US-based terrorism analyst has claimed that Al Qaeda was exploiting the recent political turmoil in Pakistan to strengthen its foothold along the country’s border with Afghanistan.

He said that al Qaeda had strengthened its safe haven in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) by deepening its alliances with Pakistani militants and pushing many elements of Pakistani government authority from the area. “It now has many of the operational and organisational advantages it once enjoyed across the border in Afghanistan, albeit on a smaller and less secure scale,” the Dawn quoted Ted Gistaro, the US national intelligence officer for trans-national threats, as saying in a speech at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Islamabad, Aug. 14 : Pakistan’s 61st Independence Day is being celebrated across the country with great fervor and zest on Thursday.

Special prayers were offered for the development of the country. The central ceremony was held at Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad where Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani hoisted the flag.

Also present in the occasion were Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Senate Chairman Mian Muhammad Soomro, federal ministers, Speaker Dr. Fehmida Mirza, members of National Assembly, diplomats and other top officials.

Islamabad - Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday said "confrontationalism" of the past had done much damage to the nation but now the democratic forces have united to block dictatorship and adventurism.

Gilani's remarks came hours after President Pervez Musharraf called for shunning "a confrontational approach," as the ruling coalition expedited its efforts to impeach the embattled leader, if he did not resign.

Islamabad, Aug. 14: Pakistan’s 61st Independence Day is being celebrated across the country with great fervor and zest on Thursday.

Special prayers were offered for the development of the country. The central ceremony was held at Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad where Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani hoisted the flag.

Also present in the occasion were Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Senate Chairman Mian Muhammad Soomro, federal ministers, Speaker Dr. Fehmida Mirza, members of National Assembly, diplomats and other top officials.

Islamabad, Aug 14 : PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has been credited for winning over the Opposition members and mustering enough support for unanimously passing a resolution in the Sindh Assembly last evening asking President Pervez Musharraf to either take vote of confidence or resign.

The resolution was adopted unanimously by the provincial assembly.