Lahore, Aug 11 : The issue of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s impeachment would have international implications and the Pakistan’s parliament should quickly resolve the dispute about Musharraf’s position, said Australian foreign minister Steven Smith.

The impeachment was a matter for Pakistan parliament, but continuing instability in Pakistan could hurt efforts in the war on terror, the Daily Times quoted Smith as saying in a TV interview.

Smith said Australia was concerned about the Pak-Afghan border areas, and that Pakistan had to resolve its own internal situation.

Khar, Aug 11: After a fiery battle last evening in which seven persons were killed and more than 20 injured, the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), the Taliban’s unit in Pakistan, reportedly assumed control of a 15-km stretch of land, from Khar agency headquarters to the Jaar area.

Fighter aircraft and helicopter gun-ships pounded militant hideouts in the Khar Agency after paramilitary troops withdrew from the Taliban stronghold of Loyesam following three days of fierce clashes.

Two helicopters and two fighter jets targeted Taliban hideouts in Loyesam, Bando, Rashakai, Tang, Jaar, Haji Lawang, Yousafabad and Charmang areas until 4pm on Sunday.

Islamabad, Aug 11 : Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani reportedly played a crucial behind-the-scene role in persuading PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for deciding to bring about an impeachment motion against President Pervez Musharraf.

According to The News, Gilani told Zardari that they all should “swim and sink” with the political forces of PML (N) in the larger interests of democracy.

Rawalpindi, Aug 11 : The ex-service in Pakistan have demanded that President Pervez Musharraf, who, according to them, had indulged in unconstitutional steps during his nine year rule, should be impeached and not given a safe passage.

Islamabad, Aug 11 : The PPP has reportedly expressed grave concern over reports that President Pervez Musharraf had warned former PPP chairperson and prime minister Benazir Bhutto that her life in Pakistan would be in danger if she “did not extend political co-operation to him”.

Pulitzer Prize winning author Ron Suskind made the revelation in his recently published book ‘The Ways of the World’.

Islamabad, Aug 11 : In what could be described as a major jolt to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, as many as 20 Members of National Assembly (MNAs) belonging to the erstwhile ruling party the PML-Q have committed their support for the Impeachment Motion against Musharraf to be tabled in Pakistan’s parliament today.

This was announced here last evening by the PML-Q MNA from Layyah Sardar Bahadar Ahmed Khan Seehar.