Peshawar (NWFP, Pakistan), Jan. 26 : At least 278 families in the North West Frontier Province's (NWFP) Upper Dir district have refused to let their children be given anti-polio medicine, describing the drops as ''un-Islamic''.

They have accused the district and health authorities of spearheading a campaign to vaccinate children against the disease as a conspiracy.

Lahore, Jan. 26 : The coach of the Pakistan cricket team, Intikhab Alam has revealed that he is a man on a mission, and his main objective is to get players to talk and to support each other.

''People have the wrong perception about coaching. My job is to lighten the load off their (players) shoulders so they can leave all the baggage behind before they step on the field," the Dawn quoted Alam as saying.

Alam sees his role as that of motivator and not someone who tells a player how to grip a bat.

Islamabad, Jan. 25 : The unexpected harmony between the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (N) following President Asif Ali Zardari's meeting with Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has dashed the hopes of the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) to form an alliance with either of the two parties in Pujab.

The discreet meetings and backdoor negotiations between the top leaders of the PPP and the PML-N discussions have ensured the safely of Punjab coalitions till the next Senate elections, The Nation reports.

Dubai, Jan. 25 : Pakistan has slipped one place in the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship table following its 2-1 series defeat at home to Sri Lanka.

Although Shoaib Malik's team won the first ODI of the series in Karachi thanks to a brilliant unbeaten century by Salman Butt, it then proceeded to lose the second and third matches after impressive displays by the visitors.

That means Pakistan loses three ratings points and drops below New Zealand into fifth place on the table, an ICC press release said.

Islamabad, Jan. 25 : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has told Prime Minister of Pakistan-administered occupied Kashmir Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan that Islamabad is committed to extending its political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris in their struggle for their rights.

Zardari also inquired about various development projects in Kashmir. He took particular interest on the rehabilitation of the Mangla Dam victims and the development of New Mirpur City.

Quetta, Jan. 25 : After putting numerous restrictions on women in the Swat Valley, the Taliban influence is increasingly posing a threat to the freedom of women across the rest of Pakistan.

Recently, a number of restaurants in Quetta have stopped servicing female customers under pressured from religious hardliners, who have the support of the Taliban, the Daily Times reports.

A number of popular eateries have put boards that say, "For gentlemen only. Women not allowed." Earlier some of these restaurants were very popular among women in Quetta.