ISLAMABAD, May 17 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani Saturday appreciated the efforts of the Army in improving the security situation in South Waziristan Agency. Chairing a meeting here at the PM House, where he was briefed on the prevailing security environment in South Waziristan Agency, the Prime Minister directed the concerned agencies to have enhanced coordination and bring normalcy to the area along the Pak-Afgan border.

WASHINGTON, May 17 (APP): US President George W Bush Saturday said he will meet Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani at the Egyptian resort of Sharm el Sheikh, where the two leaders will attend the World Economic Forum in the Middle East. In his weekly radio address, Bush said he would be “meeting with a number of key leaders from the region.

ISLAMABAD, May 17 (APP): Election Commission of Pakistan has fixed June 10 as last date to submit applications by the voters for issuance of postal ballot papers for bye-elections to the National Assembly and the Provincial Assemblies. This facility is extended only to the persons in the government service, members of armed forces, holders of public offices, their wives and such of their children as are registered voters and ordinarily reside with them and stationed at a place other than their home constituency.

ISLAMABAD, May 17 (APP): Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan Tariq Azizuddin who was kidnapped more than three months ago and recovered lastnight reached home Saturday afternoon. The Envoy was heading to the Afghan capital Kabul with his driver when he disappeared in Khyber tribal district bordering Afghanistan on February 11.

ISLAMABAD, May 17 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Saturday said Pakistan was keen to further expanding its strategic relationship with United States in its efforts to promote peace and security in the region and across the world. Talking to US Ambassador Anne Patterson at PM House, the Prime Minister said Pakistan was desirous of enhancing bilateral ties with the U.S. in all fields including diplomatic, political, defence, science and technology, socio-economic development, trade, energy investment and infrastructure.