One Million Children May Miss Out On School in NWFP

JUL 23 - The United Nations' Children's Fund (UNICEF) says as many as one million children in the northwest region of Pakistan could miss out on school if buildings needed to house classrooms are not restored in time for the start of the new school year which begins on September 1st.

According to UNICEF, 60 percent of the two million people who fled their homes in the Swat Valley are children under the age of 18.

UNICEF's director of Emergency Programs in Pakistan, Louis-Georges Arsenault says more than 4,000 schools have been converted into shelters and about 200,000 homeless people are living there.

"And, also in Swat, as you probably have heard many times, some 200 schools were destroyed by the Taliban and 75 percent were girls schools ... If we are not able to have the precondition for these shelters to be in shape for the school year and also have the minimum for when the people are returning to the communities, one million children will be at risk of losing and not starting the school year in time," Arsenault said.

Arsenault says about 300,000 people are on the move back to Swat, Buner and Dir. He says the government is helping them to go back to their communities.

But Arsenault says UNICEF believes a great many people will remain behind.

He says preparations must be made to return children to school. Education materials must be purchased.

He says UNICEF will not be able to accomplish everything that needs to be done unless it receives more money. He says the agency is running a $20 million shortfall and this is seriously compromising its humanitarian operation.

Al-Qaeda leadership hiding in Pakistan - Hillary Clinton

JUL 16 - Hillary Clinton, who is US Secretary of State said today that Al-Qaeda leadership was hiding in Pakistan, however US supports the new determination of Islamabad administration in actions against the militants and terrorists.

Clinton was addressing a gathering at council on foreign relations in Washington capital on Wednesday and said that success in Afghanistan could not be achieved without the support of Pakistan.

She said US supports efforts of Pakistani authorities against Al-Qaeda and Taliban.

She also offered to work out with those who were ready to disassociate themselves from Taliban and Al-Qaeda and abide by the law by laying down their arms.

She said she will visit Pakistan in fall this year. She plans to visit India from July 17.

Blast in Madrassa kills at least 11 including 7 children and a woman

JULY 13: The death toll of Mian Channu blast has reached to 11 as two more blast victims died in the hospital.

70 are reported injured, several said to be in critical condition.

Mian Channu is located about 90 kilometres east of Multan in Southern Punjab where Islamic militants are said to be active.

During rescue operations at the blast site, Rockets, bombs and other explosives were recovered.

Police said around 25 homes were flattened due to the force of the explosion.

According to The News citing sources, blast took place at a house of Hafiz Riaz where children were gathered for religious education. Several houses were destroyed in the blast as many people are still trapped under the rubble.

Rescue operations are underway. Dr. Naeem of tehsil headquarter hospital has confirmed the killing of nine people include seven children, a woman and a man.

DCO Khaniwal said the situation is unclear. Police sources said the blast formed a big crater at the scene. The injured were rushed to hospital among which 12 are reported in critical condition.

PM Gilani has condemned the blast and called inquiry report.