In Pakistan, a 14-year-old schoolgirl who spoke out against the atrocities of militants in their former stronghold of Swat has been shot at by the Taliban.

Malala Yousufzai, the first recipient of Pakistan's National Peace Award for Youth, was hit by two bullets when militants fired at her inside a school bus at Mingora, the main town of Swat Valley. One bullet hit her in the head.

She has been airlifted to a military hospital in Peshawar. Two other girls were also injured.

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The US has strongly condemned the incident.

 he Supreme Court of Pakistan today ordered the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block links to all the blasphemous videos including a recently released anti-Islam movie from the internet. A senior lawyer raised the matter of the anti-Islam film before a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. On this, the court summoned the chairman of PTA and directed him to block access to all sacrilegious पवित्र वस्तु दूषक material in Pakistan that has hurt the feelings of Muslims globally. The court then instructed the chairman to submit the implementation report the same day.

 Interior Minister Rehman Malik said in Islamabad that The Pakistan Government had requested India to allow a second Commission to visit Mumbai and was awaiting for a response. He said once the panel was allowed to visit and cross-examine the witnesses, the prosecution of the suspects can be accelerated in Pakistan.

Malik expressed confidence that permission would be granted by New Delhi and Islamabad wanted the trial to be on the fast track. He said those, who have done this heinous crime, should be brought to justice. Responding to India's criticism of tardy progress in the trial of the seven accused, including Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Malik said it was not a slow process but a legal process.

1. मन्द
2.  विलम्बी
3.  सुस्त

Category	Existing Agreement	New Agreement
Diplomatic Visa	Category I 1) No mention of timeframe for issuing visa 2) Period of validity will be ordinarily one year Category II 3)    Single entry visa will be granted to high-ranking dignitaries 4)    The purpose of visit could be official, business or international conference	Category I 1) To be issued within a period not exceeding 30 days of application 2) Specifies that the visa is valid for the place and duration of assignment and for visiting other places special permission shall be sought. Category II 3)    Such visa will be granted to high-ranking dignitaries holding diplomatic passports. 4)    No special mention of the purpose of visit.
Non-Diplomatic Visa	1)    No mention of timeframe for issuing visa	1)    To be issued within a period not exceeding 45 days of application
Official Visa	1)    Valid for one month	1)    Valid for 15 days
Visitor visa	1)    Single entry visa to be issued for three months for meeting relatives, friends,business or other legitimate purpose. 2)    However the visa may be issued for longer period not exceeding one year if owing to the nature of work or business.	1)    Single entry visa to be issued for a maximum period 6 months but stay not to exceed 3 months at a time and for 5 places. ( currently limited to 3 places) 2) Business visa separated from visitor’s visa. Category II ( new) A visitor visa for a maximum five specified places  may be issued for alonger period upto two years withmultiple entries to : i) Senior citizens (those above 65 years of age); ii) Spouse of a national of one country married to person of another country; and iii) Children below 12 years of age accompanying parent(s) as given in (b) above.
Transit visa	1) To be issued for 72 hours	1) To be issued for 36 hours
Group Tourist visa	No provision	1) For not less than 10 people and not more than 50 people-valid for30 days-organised by approved tour operators/travel agents to furnish details 45 days in advance. The tour operator will be responsible for police reporting on behalf of the group. 2) List of designated Tour Operators as well as list of approved / identified routes and tourist destinations will be exchanged by both sides from time to time. 3) The Group Tourist Visa facilitywill also be available to students of educational institutions of both countries. However, this will be a tourist visa only and not for seeking admission in educational institutions of either country.
Business visa	1) Part of visitor visa category i.e., single entry for 3 months and for 1 year in certain cases.	Category I- Businessmen with an income of Pak Rs. half million or equivalent per annum or annual turnover / gross sale of Pak Rs. three million or equivalent will be given one yearbusiness visa, with five places for up to four entries Category II- Businessmen with an income of at least Pak Rs. five million or equivalent per annum or turnover of Pak Rs. thirty million or equivalent per annum will be given one year multiple entry business visas for upto ten places, with exemption from Police Reporting. General Instructions The visa shall specify that the period of stay of the businessman at a time shall not exceed 30 days. The maximum time taken in processing ofa business visa will not exceed more than five weeks.
Pilgrim Visa ***	No provision	Pilgrim visas will be issued to Pilgrims intending to visit religious shrines as per the 1974 Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, or any future revision to the Protocol.  Such visas will need to be applied at least 45 days before the commencement of the intended tour. The visas will be issued at least ten days before the commencement of travel. These visas will be issued for a single entry, restricted to 15 days validity and would be non-extendable
Visa on arrival	No provision	1) Persons of more than 65 years of age- at Attari/Wagha checkpost for 45 days. This visa will be non-extendable and non-convertible.
Check Posts	1) By Air-India: Mumbai, Delhi and Amritsar. Pakistan: Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad 2) By Sea- Mumbai and Karachi 3) By Land- Wagha/Attari and Khokhrapar/Munabao Persons have to enter and exit through the same route and have to use same mode of travel for onward and return journey. Exemptions made on case to case basis	1) By Air- India: Mumbai/ Delhi/Chennai. Pakistan: Karachi/Lahore/Islamabad 2) By Sea- Mumbai/Karachi 3) By Land- Wagha/Attari and  Khokhrapar/Munabao People can enter and exit from different check posts and change in mode of travel will also be permitted. However, this is subject tothe exception that Exit from Wagha/Attari, by road (on Foot) cannot be accepted, unless the entry was also by foot via Attari/Wagha.
Registration	1) Registration within 24 hours (Exemption from Police Reporting (EPR) given on a case to case basis)	1) Registration within 24 hours Persons of more than sixty-five years of age, children below twelve years of age and Eminent Businessmen areexempted from Police Reporting.Bona fide businessmen, not in EPR category, may depute their authorized representatives for reporting.
Seamen	Issued a Landing Permit for a period not exceeding 24 hrs.	No change
Fee	Currently 12 Indian Rupees and 15 PKR	Fixed as 100 PKR or equivalent in INR
Validity of Visa	No provision	The applicant must avail the visa within a period of 90 days from the date of issue. If there are grounds requiring extension of validity, the concerned Mission will take a decision on such requests on priority.  This provision will not be applicable to the holders of Business Visa

A massive campaign to eradicate measles and polio is going on in Afghanistan under a UN sponsored programme. According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) nearly 27,000 health workers, volunteers and community mobilizers are working across 16 provinces of Afghanistan over the past two weeks to eradicate the menace of these diseases. In the first phase of the campaign earlier this month more than 8 million children were administered anti-polio and anti-measles vaccinations. The second phase, which will start in September, will include the remaining 18 provinces of Afghanistan.

Meanwhile Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to collaborate in anti-polio drives in order to reach children living along the border areas of both countries. Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria are the only countries in the world where polio is still an endemic desease.

External Affairs Minister, S M Krishna has said that he is looking forward to his impending visit to Pakistan to carry forward on going dialogue process aimed at seeking friendly and cooperative relationship with the neighbouring country.

Addressing a Function at Shere Kashmir Convention Centre in Srinagar today after inaugurating Passport Seva Kendra and laying of foundation stone of new Passport Bhawan he said that relations between the two countries have gradually improved during last one year and fruitful exchanges at different levell have continued. 

Mr Krishna said that during the visit of Pak Foreign Minister Hena Rubani Khar she had publicly said that there was a realisation in Pakistan to have change in its attitude with regard to relations with India. The Foreign Minister said that India and Pakistan have gained nothing in past by engaging in acrimony while as they have to gain every thing if they understand each other and cooperate for betterment of their people.

Earlier speaking on the occasion the State Chief Minster Omer Abdulla and Union Minster Dr Farooq Abdulla while thanking External Affairs Minister for opening Passport Seva Kendras in Jammu and Srinagar. stressed the need for strengthening cross loc trade in the state and changing present barter system into financial exchanges. 

Mr Omer Abdulla while wishing success to Foreign Minister in his forth coming Pakistani visit said that relationship between India and Pakistan has a direct bearing on the situation in the state and people in Jammu and Kashmir are longing for permanent peace and friendship between the two neighbouring countries.

Britain, Afghanistan and Pakistan have emphasized the need to advance regional peace and stability in Afghanistan and its neighborhood. A joint statement issued in Kabul today at the end of tri-lateral meeting of the British Prime Minister David Cameron, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and the Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf says the three leaders discussed the current situation in the region and reaffirmed their common vision to promote regional peace and stability.

Recognizing that terrorism poses the gravest threat to regional and international security, the leaders reiterated their strong commitment to working together to eliminate this scourge. The three leaders also agreed that success in this endevour will depend on the active support of the region and the international community.

They emphasized the importance of peace in Afghanistan for the peace and security of Pakistan. The three leaders expressed satisfaction at security transition process in Afghanistan, and reiterated that an independent, peaceful, self-reliant and democratic Afghanistan was necessary for to the stability and prosperity of the wider region.

Reiterating the importance of a political solution to end the violence in Afghanistan President Karzai said Afghan people are determed to realize their aspirations for lasting peace through an inclusive and dignified reconciliation process involving all opposition groups.

Prime Ministers Ashraf and Cameron reaffirmed their support for such a process that is led and owned by Afghans, facilitated by Pakistan and other regional countries, and supported by the UK and the wider international community.

Border Security Force has foiled another attempt of Pakistan based smugglers to smuggle contraband into Indian territory by seizing four packets of the contraband suspected to be heroin, in Amritsar sector on the intervening night of July 15th/16th. The value of the seized consignment, which is four kilogram, is appx 20 crores rupees in the international market.

This is the second such attempt by Pakistan based smugglers in the last ten days to smuggle contraband into India. Earlier, they tried to smuggle about 3 kilograms of heroin from Ferozepur sector but failed.

AIR Correspondent reports that in its drive against heightened smugglers, BSF has seized a total of about 195 Kilogram of heroin from various border districts of Punjab adjoining Pakistan this year so far.

Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai and his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani began their talks in New Delhi today. India is expected to emphasize on the issue of terror activities being planned from Pakistani soil in the backdrop of arrest of LeT terrorist Abu Jundal, who has revealed Pakistani involvement in Mumbai terror attacks. The Indian side is also expected to hand over copies of the Pakistani passport and Pakistan's domestic identity cards issued to Jundal in the name of Riyasat Ali to the visiting delegation, indicating the involvement of its state agencies.Foreign Secretaries Mathai and Jilani are also having talks on peace and security, Jammu and Kashmir and promotion of friendly exchanges between India and Pakistan.India will also ask Pakistan to find out how such crucial national documents were issued to Jundal to know who were behind providing the passport and the two ID cards to Jundal. Jundal's Pakistani passport, which is valid till 2014, enabled him to travel to Saudi Arabia from Pakistan.
The Indian side will also hand over a list of Jundal's Pakistani contacts given by him during his sustained interrogation by the security agencies.
Jundal had revealed that he, along with LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, was in the control room in Pakistan during 26/11 Mumbai carnage in 2008 in which 166 people were killed.
Last week, Home Minister P Chidambaram had strongly stated that Jundal's arrest showed there was state support for the 26/11 attacks. It had evoked a sharp reaction from Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik who had said that India was failing to control its own citizens.
Pak Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani said that Islamabad will support India in its fight against terrorism. Mr Jilani, who arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday, said that he has been given mandate to carry forward the dialogue process with India.
The Indian side is also expected to raise the issue of release of Sarabjit Singh, currently serving death sentence in a Pakistani Jail.

Calling the Taliban-linked Haqqani network a common enemy, the US has made it clear to Pakistan that both countries have to work together to deal with the dreaded terror outfit responsible for attacks on coalition forces based in Afghanistan.

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta told reporters at Pentagon that Pakistan too has been a victim of terrorism and cited the recent killing of 17 Pakistani soldiers by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.

So the two countries have a common enemy and it is in the interest of Islamabad as well to take action against the Haqqani network, he said.

On closure of the NATO supply routes by Pakistan, Panetta said the US continues to have discussions with Islamabad on reopening of the ground lines of communication.(harliners in pak is not allowing for the openning of route)

Pakistan on Wednesday freed 315 Indian fishermen, including over 20 juveniles, from a prison in Karachi as a goodwill gesture. Officials said that they have been sent to Lahore to be repatriated via the Wagah land border crossing. 
They said that one prisoner who had recently undergone surgery, was unfit to travel and could not join the others as they set off by road for Lahore after being freed from Malir Jail in the port city on Wednesday morning. Officials also informed that about 130 Indian fishermen are still in Malir Jail in Karachi.

India and Pakistan have begun two days of talks to resolve a maritime border dispute. The talks are being held in New Delhi to resolve the maritime boundary dispute in the Sir Creek region, a narrow marsh area between the two countries. Our Correspondent reports that Sir Creek is a 96-kilometre strip disputed region between India and Pakistan in the Rann of Kutch marsh-lands. The Creek which opens up into the Arabian Sea, divides the Kutch region of the Indian state of Gujarat with the Sindh province of Pakistan.The creek has been a point of contention for decades.India says the creek boundary should be in the middle of the estuary, while Pakistan says the border should lie on the south-east bank.The talks on the maritime boundary dispute come a week after inconclusive talks on the demilitarisation of the Siachen Glacier between the two sides.

The Cabinet Committee on Security,CCS,has cleared the agenda for talks with Pakistan on Siachen ahead of Defence Secretary level talks in Islamabad on 11th and 12th of this month . India is expected to stick to its stand on authentication of troop positions at Siachen at the upcoming talks with Pakistan. The issue was today discussed by the CCS, which cleared the stand to be adopted by India in this regard. AIR correspondent reports,India and Pakistan have held several rounds of talks to resolve the Siachen issue.The two countries were close to an agreement a few years back on demilitarising the region but it failed to fructify as Pakistan refused to authenticate the current military positions of the two sides despite India pressing for it. During a visit to Siachen in 2005, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said that the two countries should work to convert the highest battlefield into a mountain of peace. Maintenance of troops in the glaciated mountainous region ranging in the altitude of above 15,000 ft is costing immensely to both countries in terms of monetary and human resources.The armies of the two countries have lost more soldiers to hostile weather than in actual combat since April 1984 when Indian Army moved to the icy heights for the nation's strategic defence. The Siachen troop withdrawal issue gained prominence in Pakistan following a massive avalanche burying a Pakistan army camp there on 7th of April , resulting in the death of 129 soldiers and 11 civilians.

India and Pakistan have agreed to hold meaningful and result-oriented discussion to demilitarise Siachen glacier region. The number of casualties in Siachen in last one year is 26.

In a written reply, Defence Minister A K Antony said in Lok Sabha today that 12th round of Defence Secretary- level talks were held between India and Pakistan last year on diplomatic measures for demilitarisation of Siachen glacier region. It was agreed to continue the discussions in a meaningful and result-oriented manner.

He said both sides welcomed the ongoing dialogue process which is contributing to an enhanced understanding of each other's position.

Afghanistan, Pakistan and India have agreed in principle on transit fees for TAPI gas pipeline project. A press release issued by the Afghan ministry of mines in Kabul yesterday says that the greement was reached at a meeting between senior officials of the three countries in Islamabad. Prior to this meeting Afghan Minister of Mines Wahidullah Shahrani had visited Turkmenistan and discussed the project with Turkmen President and other high ranking officials of the country. A quardilateral summit of the four countries will now be held in Ashgabat on 24 May to sign the respective Memorandums of understanding (MoUs) setting out agreed rates and transit fees of gas. Formalities including finalization of other TAPI project documents would also be completed at the same time. Inter governmental MoU of TAPI had already been signed by the presidents of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indian Petrolium Minister last year.

India and Pakistan have agreed to open new trade routes. A joint statement issued , both ministers directed their officials to explore the possibilities of opening more land customs stations between both countries. This would enhance greater economic engagement between the business communities of both sides and deepen bilateral cooperation for the mutual prosperity of their people. It was agreed that discussions would continue at the official level, to draw a roadmap for further reductions in the SAFTA sensitive lists. While reducing the SAFTA lists, both sides would appropriately consider requests received for tariff lines to be removed. Both India and Pakistan are likely to formally announce a new business visa regime to boost bilateral commerce at the next secretary level talks between the two countries. The two leaders expressed satisfaction on the ongoing efforts for complete normalization of trading of goods and services, including investment, between the two countries. India and Pakistan also expressed satisfaction at the joint and coordinated efforts that have been made for making the new gates at the Attari Integrated Check Post functional for trade.

New Delhi has finalised a new liberal Visa regime for Pakistan. This was disclosed by the Union Home Minister, Mr. P. Chidambaram while inaugurating the first Integrated Check Post (ICP) with Pakistan at Attari border this evening. He expressed hope that Pakistan will also finalise a similar regime soon.

Mr. Chidambaram said that the ICP will facilitate smooth trade between the two countries apart from strengthening people to people contact. He appealed to Pakistanis to make use of this new ICP and its facilities. Our Correspondent reports that the ICP was inaugurated by the Home Ministers of the two countries along with the Commerce Ministers. Chief Ministers of two Punjabs were also present on the occasion. 

 Union Commerce Minister, Mr. Anand Sharma called upon all the neighbouring countries to work together for close relations between SAARC countries and face the challenge of poverty by re-channelising the resources. Pakistan Commerce Minister, Mr. Makhdoom Amin Fahim said that his country has decided in principal to introduce multiple visas for traders of both the countries for one year.

India has asserted that Pakistan must bring perpetrators of 2008 Mumbai terror attack to justice. The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh told the visiting Pakistan President Mr. Asif Ali Zardari to prevent activities against India on Pakistani soil. The Prime Minister also brought forward the issue of activities of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafiz Saeed who was mastermind behind Mumbai terror attack. Dr. Singh said that the issue of terrorism is a major issue by which Indian people will judge improvement in bilateral relations. 

Mr. Zardari said, the matter is needed to be discussed further between the two governments. It was noted that the Home Secretaries of both the countries are to meet shortly to discussed the issue further. President Zardari said that all issues including that of Sir Creeck, Siachen and Kashmir needed be addressed. Both the leaders felt that there was need to move forward step by step on all issues. The two leaders also discussed development in the region. Both the countries agreed that furthering dialogue process will bring mutual benefits. Giving priority to people to people contact both the leaders agreed that the liberalised visa agreement will be signed in the next meeting of Home Secretaries.

In a joint statement following one on one talks with the visiting Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in New Delhi this afternoon, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that the normalisation of relations with Pakistan is the common desire of the two neighbours. He said both the countries have number of issues and they are trying to find a practical and pragmatic solution to all those issues. 

Calling his discussions with visiting dignitary very constructive and satisfactory, Dr. Singh said that they discussed all bilateral issues that affect the relations of both the countries.

In his turn, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said that they discussed the common issues between the two countries and he is hopeful of positive outcome. The visiting dignitary Zardari invited Dr. Singh to Pakistan which the later accepted.

 the Foreign Secretary Mr. Ranjan Mathai said that in the 40 minute pre-lunch discussion, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari noted that there has been steady progress in the dialogue procress between the two countries. Dialogue process will continue in the months to come. 

The Prime Minister appreciated the fact that Pakistan has moved forward on trade related issue with India. Both the leaders sought to tap the bilateral economic potential of each other.

During his day-long trip to India, Zardari will be accompanied by his 23-year-old son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who took over the reigns of Pakistan Peoples Party after the death of his mother Benazir Bhutto in 2007. 
While officials say all issues will be discussed between the two leaders, it is 26 / 11 Mumbai terror attack master mind Hafiz Saeed who is on everyone’s mind after the US announced a bounty of ten million dollars for his conviction. One hundred sixty six people including six Americans were killed in the attack in 2008.

Though the Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that the case of Hafiz Saeed is an internal matter, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna asserted that the dossier the Home Minister of India provided to the government of Pakistan contains every detail of Hafiz Saeed's involvement in the planning and execution of the terror attack.

India is also likely to bring up the slow pace of the 26/11 trial in Pakistan despite the visit of Pakistan's judicial commission last month. Also, no attempt to prosecute other masterminds besides Saeed and the continuance of terror training camps on Pakistani soil may come up during the discussions.



Describing Zardari's visit to India as important, he said that though there is no agenda, the two leaders are expected to discuss all bilateral issues and the regional situation.