ISLAMABAD: Two junior international tennis tournaments scheduled to be held in Islamabad have been cancelled due to security concerns.

The International Tennis Federation has informed in writing to the officials of the Pakistan Tennis Federation.

The first ITF junior tennis event was scheduled to begin from Monday in Islamabad in which players from Egypt, India, Kenya, Germany, Malaysia and Singapore had to take part.

As per the PTF officials, players from Kenya had reached Islamabad and they will now return to their country in next two days.

Second ITF junior event was scheduled to be held after a week also in Islamabad.

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LAHORE: Check posts have been activated on all the routes leading to the entry and exit points of Lahore.

Long queues of vehicles were witnessed at these points because of checking and traffic jams were experienced.

Police pickets have been set up at various spots in the Provincial Capital of Punjab while vehicles are being searched on roads leading to Lahore in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in the country.

Policemen are checking vehicles before collecting toll tax, after which vehicles are allowed to enter into the city.

Commuters are facing hardship, as they have to wait in long queues before entering Lahore.

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Karachi

Agha Khan University?s Auditorium rocked with loud music as the first day of the festival ?A journey in sound? began with aplomb and pr

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KARACHI: Eight persons were injured when a roof of a house collapsed in Burns Road area of Karachi on Thursday.

The roof of a house located in a dilapidated building caved in burying 8 persons present inside. They were rescued with injuries and shifted to a nearby hospital.

UC Nazim of the area said the building is 30-year old and falling apart.

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WELLINGTON: New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond may be forced to delay his comeback to Test cricket because of a lack of match practice.

Bond, w

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ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that some of the money exchange dealers are providing financial aid to terrorists.

Talking to media here on Thursday, Rehman Malik ordered Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate into the matter. The terrorists be dealt with under Anti Terrorism Act, he directed.

He warned that anyone extending any kind of help to the terrorists will be investigated under Anti Terrorism Act.

The Interior Minister said foreign sources are also involved in extending financial aid to the militants.

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Rawalpindi

After Tuesday?s twin suicide blasts at the International Islamic University (IIU), the residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are rel

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WANA: Operation Rah-e-Nijat continues in South Waziristan Agency in which 24 terrorists have been killed during last 24 hours.

According to ISPR, 2 security forces personnel embraced shahadat and 4 were injured.

Security forces have completely secured Tor Ghundai feature after intense fighting while series of bunkers and caves have been neutralized. Terrorists have left the area after suffering heavy casualties. Reportedly, thirteen terrorists were killed, ISPR said.

At present security forces are in the process of securing Shishamwam spurs and caves are being cleared in a systematic manner. Mizo-Wam has been fully secured.

Security forces are extending perimeter of security North of Sherwangi area while Gurgura Sar has been fully secured.

Eleven terrorists were killed and a number of them injured last night when an attack by terrorists at Boya Narai west of Sherwangi was repulsed by security forces.

One soldier of the security forces embraced Shahdat and three others were injured.

Security forces have established pickets at road Torwam-Sherwangi and are patrolling the area.

Control of Torwam Bridge, which was closed by terrorists since 2007, has been regained. This bridge is vital for link up between Torwam and Ladha.

Security forces are consolidating their positions and have effectively blocked the roads leading from Makeen.

Terrorists fired 6 rockets at Razmak camp. As a result, one soldier embraced Shahadat and another was injured.

Swat-Malakand operation is also in progress.

Important terrorist commander Iqbal alias Islam was killed and large quantity of ammunition, grenades and equipment were recovered during search and clearance operations in general area Banpur Sar..

Security forces apprehended nine suspects from different areas of Swat including Manglour, Madrassa Mazhar ul Uloom Green Chowk, Kokari, Dahro, Rangeela and Godhand.

Two terrorists surrendered before security forces at Fiza Ghat and Nagga.

Upon information of village Defence Committee Kabal, a number of 60 mm mortar bombs have been recovered from area east of Kabal.

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ISLAMABAD: Islamabad police have arrested a suspected man wearing a jacket full of explosives.

The suspect was arrested from Islamabad Sector I-9. The police frisked him and found that the man with grey beard, identified as Barlesh, was wearing a jacket loaded with explosives, sources said.

Bullets have also been recovered from his jacket.

Police tied his arms above his head and took him to I-9 Police Station where bomb disposal squad took the jacket off of his body under strict security.

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Pakistan News

KARACHI: Bears continued to grip Karachi Stock Exchange, as benchmark KSE-100 Index further lost 94 points to close at 9,154 on Thursday.

The stock market opened positive but later incidents of firing in Islamabad forced the investors to observe caution. At one point the Index plunged over 250 points to below 9,000 level where buying by financial institutions provided support and the Index closed 94 points down to the present level.

Trade volume was recorded at 180 million shares.

Arif Habib Securities remained the volume leader which lost Rs2.44 to close at Rs49.

KSE-30 Index slid 108 points to finish the day at 10,662.

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