ISLAMABAD, MAR 27 (DNA) – : Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and Russian envoy Alexey Dedov on Wednesday expressed optimism about the future of Pak-Russia bilateral relationship.They were speaking at an International Conference on Pakistan – Russia Strategic Relations: Prospects for Cooperation, which was held under the auspices of Strategic Vision Institute (SVI), an Islamabad based think tank. Besides, Ms Janjua and Mr Dedov the conference was addressed by a number of local and Russian speakers.

ISLAMABAD: (DNA) – Authorities have launched a crackdown against drug users and addicts on the campuses of two of the largest universities in the federal capital even as a Senate body decried incorrect information being provided about the extent of the drug problem on campuses.The parliamentary body set up a sub-committee which would visit campuses, engage with their administration to resolve issues of students and determine the extent of the drug problem.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 27 (DNA) – Prime Minister Imran Khan has clarified his statement that “Kabul should set up an interim government, calling the comments “irresponsible”. on Wednesday.PM Imran Khan said Afghanistan took my statement out of context in the media, leading to unwarranted reaction from various quarters.In his comments, the PM had referred to Pakistan’s model where elections are held under an interim government. The comments should not be misinterpreted to imply interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.

LAHORE, (DNA) – The Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif and Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz on Wednesday appeared before an accountability court in the Ramzan Sugar Mills corruption reference.The court was likely to frame charges against all accused persons in the case. However, the matter has been postponed to the next hearing following plea of Sharif’s defence council to the court.

KABUL: (DNA) – Afghanistan has recalled its ambassador from Pakistan over reported remarks by Prime Minister Imran Khan that suggested Kabul should set up an interim government, calling the comments “irresponsible”.Khan told Pakistani journalists on Monday that forming an interim Afghan government would smooth peace talks between US and Taliban officials since the militant group refuses to speak to the current government.“The Afghan government was a hurdle in (the) peace process that was insisting that Taliban should talk to it,” the prime minister was quoted as saying.

LAHORE (DNA) –Teachers from across Punjab gathered outside the pronvincial assembly. While demanding regularization, the protesting teachers have termed condition of 15-day training before promotion as unacceptable.Teachers vowed to continue the protest at Charing Cross on Mall Road until the fulfillment of their demands. They also raised anti-government slogans and placards.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 26 (DNA) -: Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has said that Pakistan and Kazakhstan enjoy cordial relations based on strong foundation of religion, brotherhood, history and culture.Expressing the desire for strengthening the bilateral relations, he said that Pakistan wanted to further expand existing bilateral relations through enhanced parliamentary and economic cooperation.