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Pakistan accused arch-rival India yesterday of heightening tensions along a military control line in disputed Kashmir where both sides have reported deadly cross-border shelling in recent days and also warned estranged ally, the U.S., that any initiation of violence by Washington against Afghanistan would only aggravate matters.

A foreign ministry official yesterday denied that Pakistan was facing difficulties in mustering support on the Kashmir issue for a discussion in the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) summit beginning from November 12.

Interim government under consideration

"Nawaz Sharif has not been exiled to Saudi Arabia as a result of some deal but this is true that Sharifs had sought pardon, the details of which can be disclosed," a senior military official told Gulf News.<br />

The head of the United Jihad Council (UJC), Syed Salahuddin, does not nurse any major hopes of a diplomatic or negotiated settlement of the Kashmir issue and says New Delhi has closed the doors of any peace process by refusing to accept that Kashmir is a dispute.

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, who arrived here yesterday on the first leg of a whirlwind tour of South Asia, advised India and Pakistan to return to the spirit of the Lahore Declaration

PML rebels elect new leader in NWFP

Muslim League blames agencies for killings

The federal government has directed all provinces to strictly enforce the policy of no arms display and prohibit all groups, be it Jihadi or not, from forcing people to give donations, a senior official said yesterday.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested yesterday Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, former speaker of the National Assembly (lower house of the parliament) on charges of corruption and misuse of powers.

Pakistan's Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf directed the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to put in place required changes relating to cargo and infrastructure and create an conducive environment for increased over-flights through Pakistan, officials said yesterday.

More aid for Afghans urged