Shamshad Akhtar joins World Bank as regional vice-president

WASHINGTON: The World Bank has announced that Shamshad Akhtar, a Pakistani national and former Governor of State Bank of Pakistan, is the new Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa Region, according to the World Bank website. "I welcome the opportunity to work in the Middle East and North Africa region at this point in the region's development," said the new MENA Vice President.

UK extends support for Pakistan anti-Taliban efforts

Visiting British Foreign Secretary David Miliband reiterated yesterday support for Pakistan’s anti-Taliban offensive in the troubled northwestern region.
Miliband who arrived on three-day visit, is due to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, besides calling on Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif.
“This visit presents a first opportunity for ministerial discussion of the new UK-Pakistan strategic dialogue,” he was cited as saying by the British High Commission in a statement.
“It also allows me to underline the UK’s support for Pakistan’s current efforts to defeat the extremists and to restore peace and security to areas where extremists operate.”