ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) estranged ally Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has decided to rejoin the ruling coalition if Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani takes concrete steps to withdraw the increase in prices of petroleum products, the Geo News reported Friday.

NEW DELHI - Two to three years has been the average life span of elected governments in Pakistan ever since Z A Bhutto was PM from 1973 to 1977. His daughter Benazir alternated with her rival Nawaz Sharif from 1988 till 1999 when the Mian Sahib was overthrown by yet another saviour in Khaki, General Pervez Musharraf. And both former Prime Ministers were forced into exile.

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan, which wants American drones for taking on militants, is still working on a deal with the US to acquire its own fleet of the surveillance aircraft, a media report said Friday.

HANOI - A US diplomat apprehended outside a Vietnamese dissident's house had caused public disorder and the case would be considered by the authorities, state media said Friday.