Salman Taseer, the governor of Pakistan's Punjab province, was gunned down by one of his bodyguards today in a crowded marketplace -- the highest-profile killing in Pakistan since the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and the latest blow to the country's beleaguered civilian government.

The itinerary of Pakistani football team’s proposed tour of Palestine in a few months time has generated a controversy among Islamists and political leaders who fear the tour will be used as cover up for another back channel secret diplomacy between Islamabad and Tel Aviv.

Year long celebrations on the occasion of 60 years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China commenced here last night with a function held at Pak-China Friendship Centre at a colourful ceremony attended by a large number of Pakistanis and Chines nationals.

The Ministry of Culture on Thursday launched its official website www.pakistanculture.org with an illustrated tour of the rich history and living traditions of the ancient seat of great civilisations. History, folk traditions, crafts, music, literature, folklore and archaeological sites are given a representation through the website, providing the visitor a broad vista of the depth and variety of Pakistan’s culture.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at Lok Virsa (National Institute of Folk & Traditional Heritage), Shakarparian inaugurated an exhibition ‘Connecting People Through Crafts’ on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Wen Jiabao of China praised Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism and promised to further advance the two countries’ strategic partnership and economic cooperation in a speech to the Parliament on Sunday.

American ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter Friday appreciating Pakistan’s military contribution in war against terror in Swat and other areas, assured US would continue its long term cooperation with Pakistan to eradicate the menace of terrorism.

Richard Holbrooke's successor as Washington's special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan will inherit intractable problems not even the "bulldozer" of U.S. diplomacy was able to resolve. The increasingly unpopular war in Afghanistan, inseparably intertwined with Pakistan where Taliban fighters have so long been able to seek sanctuary, has baffled U.S. diplomats, politicians and military commanders for nine years.