Afghan-Pakistan situation dire; more troops may be needed (McClatchy Newspapers via Yahoo! News)

WASHINGTON — Top defense officials told Congress Wednesday the situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan is “increasingly dire” and said that President Barack Obama may have to send another 10,000 troops beyond the 22,000 he’s announced since taking office.

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Petraeus Warns About Militants? Threat to Pakistan (New York Times)

A Senate panel pressed Gen. David H. Petraeus and other officials on how the Obama administration will measure progress in the region and whether Pakistan?s spy agency could be trusted.

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Shootout among drug dealers reported in Karachi

KARACHI: Some rival drug dealer groups exchanged fire in Shanti Nagar area here late on Wednesday sparking panic among masses, police sources said.According to sources, armed men opened fire on one another following which, police arrive straightaway on the shootout place and brought situation into control. However, no arrest was confirmed.

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Pakistan’s commitment questioned in Senate hearing (CNN)

Days after President Obama announced his strategy for security in Afghanistan, senior Defense Department leaders told a congressional panel more effort is needed to fight the growing insurgency in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

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Senate votes to boost aid to Pakistan (AP via Yahoo! News)

The Senate on Wednesday voted to boost aid to Pakistan and increase funds for security along the U.S.-Mexico border, but rejected a Republican attempt to freeze spending on domestic programs.

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Sources: Pentagon seeks $3B for Pakistan military (AP via Yahoo! News)

The Obama administration plans to seek as much as $3 billion over the next five years to train and equip Pakistan’s military, and is considering sending 10,000 more troops to battle the Taliban in Afghanistan, defense officials said Wednesday.

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US Pakistan aid bill likely not before April: official (AFP via Yahoo! News)

The US Congress likely will not complete legislation tripling US non-military assistance to Pakistan before late April at the earliest, a congressional aide said Wednesday.

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Insurgents threaten Pakistan’s ‘existence’: US general (AFP via Yahoo! News)

Islamist insurgents pose a growing threat not only to Afghanistan but to Pakistan’s “very existence,” the commander of US forces in the region, General David Petraeus, said on Wednesday.

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Punjab Govt orders 800 lay offs in vocational institutes

LAHORE: Punjab government has issued orders for laying off 800 employees from various vocational institutes across the province.These employees include computer operators, instructors, office assistants and security guards.Principles of the vocational institutes have been directed to issue termination orders to the employees with effect from April 1, 2009.

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Afghan, Pakistan leaders pledge cooperation in Turkey talks (Reuters via Yahoo! News)

Pakistan and Afghanistan pledged closer cooperation in the fight against al Qaeda and Taliban militants during a summit hosted by NATO member Turkey on Wednesday.

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