Pakistan sixth in FIH rankings

LAHORE: Pakistan have climbed two places in world hockey rankings
after reaching the final of the recently-concluded 8th Asia Cup in
Malaysia.

Pakistan were placed at a poor eighth spot after the Beijing Olympic
Games last year but has climbed up to sixth spot. South Korea, which
grabbed the title in the Asia Cup, are now ranked fifth in the world.

According to the latest rankings issued by the International Hockey
Federation (FIH), Germany have retained its top spot followed by
Australia, Spain, Netherlands and Korea. Besides Pakistan, China have
also improved its position by moving to 13th from previous 16th spot.

Other Asia Cup participants dropped a couple of places as well. India
went down from the 10th to the 12th position while Japan dropped from
11th to 14th and Malaysia slipped to 16th from its previous 15th
ranking.

All political parties back Swat offensive

ISLAMABAD , All Parties Conference of Pakistan here on Monday backed
the counterinsurgency operation in Swat and assured full support to
the government.

The political leaders speaking at the moot presided over by Prime
Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani urged the government to provide better
facilities to the displaced persons.

Jamat Islami and some other political parties expressed their
reservations over the operation in Swat and said that the government
should have taken the nation into confidence by holding an APC before
launching of the counterinsurgency drive.

General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani visited on swat

wat: General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani Chief of Army Staff on Thursday visited the restive Swat valley and hold meetings with commanders and other army officials.

According to the channel, the COAS was briefed about the ongoing army operation in Malakand Division.

On the occasion, he appreciated the high moral of Pakistan army in the offensive against militants.

Swat operation successfully underway,ISPR

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas Thursday said the Swat operation is successfully underway, Pakistan Army has denied utilizing any foreign assistance in its ongoing operation against militants in Swat and Buner, saying that overall planning of the offensive is being carried out in Pakistan.

Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas, while addressing a press briefing here, also claimed that military has killed more 54 militants in last 24 hours of ongoing operation “Rah-e-Haq 4” in Swat.

He said that nine security personnel were also killed in the battles in various areas of the restive valley.

“Operation is being carried out in Swat from all four directions and the area from Barikot to Odigram has been evacuated from the terrorists and four of their commanders were killed in the operation,” Abbas said, claiming that the important area of Sultanwas would also be recovered soon from militants.

Giving the details of yesterday’s operation, DG ISPR said that military destroyed 15 hideouts of the militants in Shangla. He declared that the air force is only being used in the mountainous areas.