AP, Islamabad

Pakistan’s ruling coalition collapsed Monday, torn apart by internal bickering just a week after Pervez Musharraf’s ouster and underscoring fears that the government would be distracted from its fight against Islamic extremists.
Militants have stepped up their campaign of violence in recent months, prompting the government Monday to ban the Taliban. The move came after the Islamic militant group claimed responsibility for twin suicide bombings against one of Pakistan’s most sensitive military installations that left 67 dead. [Read more]