Pakistan reach hockey final

GUANGZHOU: Pakistan goalkeeper Salman Akbar saved the last shot of a penalty shoot-out against South Korea to steer his team into the Asian Games men’s hockey final on Tuesday.Pakistan, who won the last of their seven Asian Games gold medals in Beijing in 1990, have not bagged a major title since the World Cup triumph in Sydney in 1994. Zeeshan Ashraf’s men are desperate to make amends in Guangzhou after finishing an embarrassing last at the World Cup and lowly sixth at the Commonwealth Games this year.

Troika discusses targeted operation in NWA

By our correspondent

ISLAMABAD: The troika, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, discussed matters concerning the security situation on Tuesday. The official announcement from the Presidency described the meeting a part of consultative process. According to sources, the troika meeting discussed issues relating to the operation against terrorists in Waziristan and the war against terrorism.The sources said General Kayani took President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani into confidence about the targeted operation against terrorists and extremists. They said the meeting also discussed the recent decisions in the Nato heads meeting and its impact on Pakistan. The sources said President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani assured General Kayani that the government would provide all resources to Pakistan Army for the security of the country. The troika also discussed the regional situation in the context of security matters.

Nato helicopters intrude into Khyber Agency

By our correspondent

LANDIKOTAL: Two Nato helicopters violated Pakistan’s airspace by intruding into the Landikotal subdivision of Khyber Agency on Tuesday, local residents said. They said the Nato gunship helicopters flew over Loe Shalman, Top Sar, Pirokhel and Mukhtarkhel areas of Landikotal Tehsil for three minutes before returning to Afghanistan. Local govenment officials confirmed the incident.

37-Division of Army to leave Swat

By our correspondent

MINGORA: Due to improvement in the overall security situation in Swat district, the military authorities have decided to call back 37-Division of the Pakistan Army from the area, official sources said on Tuesday. The sources said the decision about the relocation of the troops had already been taken as Major General Ashfaq Nadeem of the 37-Division would report back to the Corps Headquarters. The 19-Division would stay in the area and Major General Javed Iqbal would lead the security forces in Swat district, the sources added.To root-out insurgency in the region, two divisions of the Pakistan Army totalling 25,000 troops were deployed in Swat and Shangla districts.

Six-working day week notified

ISLAMABAD: In pursuance of the federal government’s decision, six-working day week will be observed in all government departments and organisations with effect from November 27. According to a notification issued by the interior ministry, “Six days will be considered now working days in all federal government departments, including Saturdays, while Sundays will be observed as closed days” as per the previous routine. Timings of the offices from Monday to Thursday and Saturday will be observed full working days from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.