Pak to get F16s, Bush tells PM
Offers co-production of higher model to India
New Delhi, March 25
In a balancing act, United States President George W Bush telephoned Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this evening to convey that Washington had cleared the sale of F-16 fighter aircraft to Pakistan. Dr Manmohan Singh conveyed India’s concern about the US decision to sell F-16 fighter aircraft to Pakistan, saying it would adversely affect the security situation in the subcontinent, PM’s Media Advisor Sanjay Baru told this correspondent.

Nation page: India ready to discuss anything with Prevez

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Younis hits 267 as Pak amass 570 runs
Sports page: Triple century was never in mind: Younis I bowled ‘doosra’, says Harbhajan Inzamam admits he had opposed Shoaib’s inclusion	Pakistan vice-captain Younis Khan plays a shot as he slams 267 runs on the second day of the third Test match between India and Pakistan in Bangalore on Friday. Pakistan were all out for 570 runs and India scored 55 runs without losing any wicket at the end of the second day of play. — Reuters

Suspend Brar, says PPCC
Chandigarh, March 25
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) today passed a resolution urging the party high command to suspend Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar from the party immediately and also expel him from the organisation subsequently.

Hooda may amend mining policy
Chandigarh, March 25
Encouraged by the success of its excise policy, which aimed at breaking monopoly, the Hooda Government in Haryana is likely to amend its mining policy also.

Major-Gen challenges seniority list
New Delhi, March 25
The armed forces is in for another controversy over promotion, a Major-General has approached the Delhi High Court after he was shown as a Brigadier in a seniority list prepared by the Army allegedly to prevent him from being promoted to the rank of Lt-General.

VAT Bill withdrawn in J&K Assembly

Banks to remain open in Punjab today
Chandigarh, March 25
Banks will remain closed in Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh and parts of Jammu region on account of Holi on Saturday. But all banks in Punjab will function normally. Disclosing this here today, a senior State Bank of India official said that the bank holiday for Holi has been declared under Section 25 for the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.

Punjab page: Cong leaders play different tunes at Hola Mohalla People gather at Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib Gurdwara to celebrate Hola Mohalla in Anandpur Sahib on Friday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

Govt sets in motion release of Sikh detainees Amritsar, March 25 The state government is contemplating to release Sikh detainees who have completed their sentence and are lodged in various jails. The government is also likely to take up the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to release Sikh youths from jails in other parts of the country.