Parliament on fire

ISLAMABAD (AP) - A fire destroyed the core of Pakistan's parliament building yesterday, sending flames streaking into the night sky, AP reports.

Hundreds of people, including President Wasim Sajjad, watched as the blaze swept through the five-storey whitewashed building. The fire destroyed the National Assembly chamber, as well as many offices.

State television said an electrical short-circuit was believed to be the cause, but Senator Iqbal Haider said other causes, including arson, should not be ruled out.