A training fighter jet of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) crashed in Hyderabad Thal area of Bhakkar while the pilot managed to eject safely Wednesday. According to sources, pilot Farooq was flying the training jet Meraj when it caught fire. Fortunately he managed to eject safely after the jet caught fire and landed safely while the aircraft crashed in a suburban area of Bhakkar.

Police has cordoned off the crash site.

(Courtesy by GEO NEWS )

PESHAWAR: Four bodies were found in a gunny sack from Sarband area of Peshawar Wednesday. According to police, two bodies bearing torture marks were found from Sarband who were shot dead by unknown men after being kidnapped.

The victims were identified as Muazuddin and Arif Shah, who belonged to Budh Bair and Hangu respectively.

The bodies were shifted to morgue for medico-legal formalities while police has started the investigation.

It is pertinent to mention that a total of nine bodies have so far been found from gunny sacks in Peshawar in the current month.

(Courtesy by GEO NEWS )

The London 2012 Olympics have ended with a spectacular musical closing ceremony and the official handover to the next host city, Rio de Janeiro. The three-hour show featured some of the biggest names of British pop from decades past, including the Spice Girls, George Michael and Elbow.

Games chief Lord Coe said: "When our time came - Britain, we did it right."

The official Games flag was handed to the mayor of Rio before the flame at the Olympic Stadium was extinguished.

President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, who declared the Games of the 30th Olympiad closed just before midnight, said: "We will never forget the smiles, the kindness and the support of the wonderful volunteers, the much-needed heroes of these Games.

"You, the spectators and the public, provided the soundtrack for these Games.

"Your enthusiastic cheers energised its competitors and brought a festive spirit to every Olympic venue."
Best of British

At the close of the ceremony, watched in the stadium by the 10,000 athletes and 80,000 spectators, the flame was extinguished in dramatic fashion. Each nation will receive one of the cauldron's 204 petals.
As fireworks went off above the east London stadium, the Who performed My Generation and the venue became a sea of red, white and blue confetti.

The finale, which began with Big Ben chiming, paid tribute to UK music, fashion and culture.
Prince Harry represented the Queen at the ceremony, which took place on top of a stage in the shape of a union jack and saw a volunteer cast of 3,500.

The show saw the Spice Girls re-form to sing Spice Up Your Life from the top of five London taxis, and a surprise performance from Take That, who sang their hit Rule the World. It had been thought they would not appear because Gary Barlow was mourning the loss of his daughter who was delivered stillborn last Saturday.

Artistic Director Kim Gavin also brought together household names, including George Michael, Jessie J, Emeli Sande, Madness, the Pet Shop Boys, One Direction, Ray Davies and Liam Gallagher, as the best of British music went on show to the world.

During the ceremonial part of the show, the Olympic flag was waved aloft by London Mayor Boris Johnson and passed by Mr Rogge into the hands of the Mayor of Rio, Eduardo Paes.

The Brazilian national anthem rang out and the stadium was transformed into the green and yellow colours of Brazil's flag. 
Lit up the world'

London 2012 chairman Lord Coe told the audience: "Today sees the closing of a wonderful Games in a wonderful city.
"We lit the flame and lit up the world."

The official handover also saw a celebration of Rio's mix of cultures, music and dance, bringing a carnival atmosphere to the proceedings.

Earlier, there was a riot of colour as the athletes entered the stadium, with four-time Olympic gold medallist sailor Ben Ainslie carrying the British flag and leading out Team GB.

The smiling athletes filled each section of the floor of the stadium, to the sound of Elbow playing their atmospheric hit, One Day Like This.
As is traditional during the closing ceremony, the final medals of the 2012 Olympics were handed out. On this occasion they went to the athletes in the men's marathon, which was won by Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich.

The 70,000 Games Maker volunteers were also thanked for their hard work during the 16 days of competition.

Home-grown fashion was celebrated with appearances from models Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, both wearing the creations of the late Alexander McQueen, while British eccentricity also featured, with comedian Russell Brand singing the Beatles' I am the Walrus from the top of a psychedelic bus.
Comedian Eric Idle drew much laughter when he performed a typically quirky version of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, and Muse rocked the stadium with the official anthem of the Games, Survival.

The Games ended with the US topping the final medal table with 46 golds, followed by China with 38 golds. GB came third with 29 golds - their best tally since 1908.

The Queen earlier said Team GB's "outstanding" performance had "inspired" the country.

The last day saw a final - and 29th gold - for Team GB, with boxer Anthony Joshua winning his super-heavyweight bout.
In all, 44 world records have been set during London 2012, and 117 Olympic records broken.

Among those to have set new world bests included Kenyan David Rudisha in the men's 800m and the Jamaican sprint relay team, which included 100m and 200m gold medallist Usain Bolt.
US swimmer Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian in history while cyclist Sir Chris Hoy's two gold medals meant he became the most successful British Olympian of all time.

Earlier, US President Barack Obama telephoned Prime Minister David Cameron to offer his congratulations for a "brilliant" London Olympics, Downing Street said.

On Sunday, crowds also packed London's Hyde Park to watch the sporting action on big screens and enjoy a farewell concert headlined by Blur.

The Paralympics is set to start on 29 August, with the revamped 560-acre (227-hectare) Olympic Park site - to be known as the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park - then set to reopen from the first anniversary of the opening of the Games, on 27 July 2013. 

LAHORE: One out of twin babies disappeared mysteriously from the Jinnah Hospital in Lahore. According to sources, the father of the twin babies has alleged that the hospital staff is involved in his child’s disappearance while the family of the disappeared infant protested the incident.

MS Jinnah Hospital Dr Mohammad Afzal told that three attendants were present with the twins in the gynae ward while they were handed over to the parents from the labour room.

Dr Afzal told that investigation into the incident has been ordered while the security guard of the gynae ward has also been suspended.

The case against unknown accused has been registered in the name of the infant’s father.

(Courtesy by GEO NEWS)

LAHORE: Encounters have gone rampant in Lahore these days and in a latest one police on late Saturday night killed an alleged robber, while two of his sidekicks managed to flee. According to police, they received reports that an armed robbing trio, driving a stolen car, was on the run after sweeping a house clean in Liton Road area. A police party went after them and got them before they could run away to safety, they added.

Finding cops on their tail the panicked robbers started shooting at the them, which forced the lawmen to fire back causing the death of one of the alleged dacoits.

Leaving their dead comrade-in-crimes behind the other two crooks called it a fight and took flight.

The identity of the killed robber has not been ascertained yet.

Investigation has been launched.

(Courtesy by GEO NEWS)

LAHORE: Punjab University has announced the annual examinations-2012 results Saturday here. Sania Riaz of a private college obtaining 686 numbers topped the list in B.Sc., while Queen Mary College’s Sandas Shahzadi securing 658 numbers stands second and Gojranawala private college’s Sanila with 655 numbers placed in third position, according to the results.

In B.A., Hafizabad’s Mohammad Mohsin obtaining 688 numbers stood first, Shahidra’s Kanwal Latif securing 668 numbers placed second, while Hafizabad’s Muqaddas Shahnaz and Gojranawala’s Maria An’am obtaining 661 numbers shared the third position.

1,43,750 candidates appeared in the B. A. and B.Sc. annual exams. B.A. success percentage works out to 53.58 and B.Sc. 61.04.

Candidates obtaining first three positions in B.A. belong to private institutions.

(Courtesy by GEO NEWS)

 QUETTA: Doctors in government and private hospitals of Quetta continued observing their strike Saturday for the 11th consecutive day.

The strike was called by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Balochistan chapter and other organizations against the kidnapping of a fellow senior doctor of Bolan Medical Complex (BMC), Ghulam Rasool.

Unknown armed men had abducted psychiatrist Dr Ghulam Rasool of BMC hospital from Brewery Road on Wednesday August 1, two days after a kidnapped senior surgeon of the same college Dr Din Mohammad Bangulzai had been released.

Dr Rasool was on his way home after performing his duty at BMC when armed men intercepted and kidnapped him.

The paramedical staff along with doctors boycotting their duties, while patients, especially from far-flung areas are facing severe difficulties after the doctors stopped performing their duties in out patient departments (OPDs).

However, doctors and paramedics were present at casualty and emergency wards to attend to patients

The Balochistan government has formed a committee for the recovery of Dr Ghulam Rasool, however, no advancement has been made so far.

Balochistan doctors have vowed continuing their strike until the return of Dr. Ghulam Rasool.

(Courtesy by GEO NEWS)

Adil Rashid took career-best figures in List A cricket as Yorkshire Carnegie kept their slim semi-final hopes in the Clydesdale Bank 40 alive with a 69-run victory over the Northamptonshire Steelbacks.
Former Australia batsman Phil Jaques blasted 87 off just 83 balls against his old club as Yorkshire posted 262 for eight from their 40 overs, with Lee Daggett taking four wickets for 54 runs for the hosts.

The Steelbacks never looked like reaching their target as they collapsed to 193 all out with all-rounder Rashid taking four for 38 and David Sales top-scoring with 55 off 58 deliveries.

Northamptonshire won the toss and chose to field and they removed Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale for 16 in the eighth over when he slashed Luke Evans to Rob Newton at backward point. But Jaques raced to 50 off just 44 balls before James Jaques forced Adam Lyth to edge to Steelbacks wicketkeeper David Murphy to depart for 29.

Jaques eventually holed out when he smashed Evans, who was playing in his first match of the season, to Olly Stone at deep square leg. David Miller hurried to 44 off 50 deliveries, but he dragged Daggett on to his stumps before the same bowler's delivery clattered into Rashid's off stump to dismiss him for 25.

Daggett struck twice more in the 38th over when Gary Ballance (15) launched him to Niall O'Brien at deep square leg and Azeem Rafiq (one) chipped to Alex Wakely at mid-off five balls later.

Yorkshire wicketkeeper Gerard Brophy (19) was then stumped by Murphy after missing Steelbacks captain Andrew Hall's delivery in the final over.

Chasing 263, the hosts began steadily before Rob Newton fell cheaply for 30 in the 11th over when he was taken at mid-off by Ballance off the bowling of Rashid. He struck again when Wakely was stumped by Brophy for eight before Ireland international O'Brien smashed his full toss to Gale, who took a superb diving catch at mid-on, after he had plundered 38.

He continued to torment the Northamptonshire batsmen and trapped Rob Keogh lbw for 14 in his final over - but Sales hung around to complete his half-century off 52 balls. However, his effort ended when he was run out by Miller from deep midwicket before Murphy departed for six in the same manner by the same fielder, this time from mid-off, three overs later.

Ashraf bowled Middlebrook for two before Hall (28) launched Steven Patterson to Miller at long-on and Iain Wardlaw bowled Daggett and Evans for ducks in the final over to complete a sorry procession.

The USA beat Japan 2-1 at Wembley to avenge their 2011 World Cup final defeat and claim their fourth Olympic gold in women's football

Carli Lloyd scored both goals for the US, an early header and a powerful strike after the break.

Yuki Ogimi scored to reduce the deficit for Japan, who hit the opposition woodwork twice and their own once.

Japan had a chance to equalise late in the game but Hope Solo made an excellent save to deny Mana Iwabuchi.

It was enough for the USA to add to previous Olympic victories in 1996, 2004 and 2008.
 Despite being outclassed for large periods of the game, they showed a resilience and determination that their coach Pia Sundhage described earlier this week as "unique".

The match was played in front of 80,203, a record crowd for a women's Olympic football fixture.

And the near full house at Wembley was served up a treat as two teams of contrasting styles produced a relatively open final brimming with passion and skill.
 Perhaps the pain of last year's World Cup defeat in Germany was still on the minds of the US players as they bossed the opening seven minutes before Lloyd's header - taken off the boot of Abby Wambach as the striker attempted to volley Alex Morgan's cross - gave them the lead.

Coach Sundhage leapt joyously into the air but she soon came back to earth as Japan, diminutive maybe but swift in mind and fleet of foot, soon took control.

Their crisp and accurate passing soon started to slice open the US defence. Solo saved from Nahomi Kawasumi before athletically tipping a header from Ogimi onto the crossbar.

The American keeper was then fortunate to see a shot from Aya Miyama hit the woodwork and rebound safely away from her goal.

Shinobu Ohno then went very close with a curling effort from 18 yards as Solo's goal started to lead a charmed life.
 But they refused to give up or compromise on their passing principles and they were rewarded when Ogimi tapped home moments after skipper Christie Rampone had made a goal-line clearance.

Amy Le Peilbet also cleared off the line as Japan continued to press forward and Solo was called into action to deny substitute Iwabuchi with eight minutes of normal time remaining.

USA coach Pia Sundhage paid tribute to Japan after the final, claiming: "We started the game in a good way and got a goal but after that we were way too conservative in the way we defended and attacked.

"A lot of credit must go to Japan, the way they played, kept possession and their good technique forced us to change our game plan.

"I think that many of us coaches should watch Japan and learn from the way they keep possession and look dangerous."

But she felt the US team would continue to improve as they build towards the next World Cup in 2015.

"There are some many other good teams right now, and it has not always been like that," said the Swede.

"I can imagine four years from now it will be entertaining and exciting and the technique of the players will make magic stuff happen.

"But by the 2015 World Cup I think that we might be unstoppable. There are so many young players coming through."

Japan coach Norio Sasaki also thinks the standard of the women's game is improving.

"I believe the game is changing and developing," he said. "It is not only about skill and the physical side but also about defence and organisation." 

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Khalid Shameem Wynne called on President Asif Ali Zardari and and discussed regional and national security issues with him.

According to sources, the meeting lasted for quite a while in which both the heads discussed matters relating to professional aspects of Armed Forces, operational readiness and other relevant issues in length.

 Sources said General Wynne briefed the president over Pak-Afghan border situation, deployment of military troops in tribal areas and dimensions of Pakistan’s cooperation with the ISAF and Afghan forces at the border

President told Joint Chief of Staff Committee General Khalid Shamim Wynne that despite limited resources, Armed Forces of Pakistan will be provided maximum facilities.


He said undoubtedly the sacrifices of Armed Forces are invulnerable and its role in countering menace of terrorism and extremism is highly laudable in this regard.

(Courtesy by DUNYA NEWS)

LAHORE: Hindu pilgrims who were earlier stopped at the Wagah Border from entering India staged a protest following which they were granted permission to enter the country.

Hindu pilgrims had been stopped at the Wagah Border by Rangers due to issues with their immigration documents. Rangers officials earlier said the pilgrims would be allowed to enter India when their No Objection Certificates (NOCs) were received.

Two families who had NOCs were allowed to travel to India earlier via the Wagah Border.

On Thursday, Interior Minister Rehman Malik termed the migration of families belonging to Hindu community from Jacobabad as a conspiracy against Pakistan.

The minister, while replying to a question about the migration of 60 Hindu families to India, said the government had been determined to provide complete security to the minorities.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Thursday took notice of the purported migration of Hindu families from Jacobabad to India on account of the perceived law and order situation.

The chief minister directed the Minister for Excise, Mukesh Kumar Chawla, to visit Jacobabad and inquire into the matter and submit a report within three days.

A section of the media reported on Wednesday that around 60 Hindu families had migrated to India due to insecurity.

The report said that migration of Hindu families mostly in Jacobabad and Ghotki districts had started around six to eight months ago on account of the fear triggered by the poor law and order situation in addition to alleged forced conversions.

(Courtesy by GEO NEWS)

ISLAMABAD: The government has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against the judgement striking down the Contempt of Court Act, 2012. A decision to file the review petition was made after President Asif Ali Zardari met with coalition partners and Law Minister Farooq Naek last Sunday.

On August 3, the Supreme Court had declared the Contempt of Court Act 2012, unconstitutional and null and void.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a show cause notice for contempt of court to Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf for failing to implement its directives of writing a letter to Swiss authorities to open graft cases. Prime Minister Ashraf has been directed to appear before the Supreme Court when the hearing of the NRO implementation case will resume on August 27.

A five-judge special bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, was hearing the case.

During the hearing, Attorney General Irfan Qadir read out the apex court’s directive of July 25. Qadir said the government was taking serious steps to resolve the issue, adding that, more time was required to arrive at a settlement.

The attorney general requested the bench to take up the matter after Eidul Fitr and asked if the case could be adjourned until the first week of September.

Upon which, Justice Ejaz said that enough time had been given to the government in order to formulate a response in this regard.

The attorney general said that given the government’s ongoing efforts, the gulf between the two state institutions would cease to exist.

Addressing the attorney general, Justice Khosa said that the bench could not move an inch away from its decision. He moreover asked the attorney general as to why the government had failed to arrive at a decision in spite of being given enough time to do so.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Pakistan People’s Party had decided it would not write a letter to Swiss authorities for reopening cases against President Asif Zardari and would ‘resist’ actions by the Supreme Court within bounds of the Constitution.

During the previous hearing of the NRO implementation case, the Supreme Court had suggested to the government to find a way out of the impasse between the executive and the judiciary.

During the July 25 hearing of the case, the bench repeatedly asked the government through the attorney general to use wisdom and find a solution to vindicate the positions of the two institutions perceived to be at logger heads, also implying that it was not in a mood to send another prime minister home and conceding that President Zardari enjoyed immunity from prosecution in criminal cases.

Earlier on June 27, the bench had given the new prime minister two weeks to indicate whether he would ask Swiss authorities to reopen a corruption case against President Zardari.

The court had on June 19 dismissed Yousuf Raza Gilani as prime minister after convicting him of contempt in April for refusing to reopen the multi-million-dollar case against the president.

Raja Pervez Ashraf was later elected as the new prime minister.

The allegations against President Zardari date back to the 1990s, when he and his late wife, former premier Benazir Bhutto were suspected of using Swiss bank accounts to launder $12 million allegedly paid in bribes by companies seeking customs inspection contracts.

The Swiss shelved the case in 2008 when Zardari became president and the government had been insisting that the president has full immunity.

But in 2009 the Supreme Court overturned the NRO, a political amnesty that had frozen investigations into the president and other politicians, ordering that the cases be reopened.

(Courtesy by GEO NEWS)

ISLAMABAD: Mainly hot and humid weather is expected in most parts of Punjab and Islamabad with chances of rain/thundershower at isolated places of Multan division during next 24 hours. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), seasonal low lies over northwest Balochistan with its trough extending southeast wards according to the synoptic situation.

Weak monsoon currents are still penetrating into upper and central parts of the country.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, mainly hot and humid weather is expected in most parts, however, rain/thundershower is likely at isolated places of D I Khan division during next 24 hours.

Mainly hot and humid weather is also expected in most parts of Sindh and Balochistan during next 24 hours, however, rain/thundershower is likely at isolated places of Zhob, Kalat and Sibbi divisions during next 24 hours.

Mostly partly cloudy weather is expected with chances of rain/thundershower at isolated places of Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan during next 24 hours.

The rainfall recorded during last 24 hours was: Sibbi 57 mm, Kakul 23 mm, Gupis 19 mm, Bahawalnagar 18 mm, Bunji and Malamjabba 5 mm, Hunza, Gilgit, Sialkot and Mohenjodaro 3 mm each.

US President Barack Obama has said "soul searching" is needed on how to reduce violence following a second mass shooting event in the US in a month. Wade Michael Page, 40, killed six and injured three at a Sikh temple in near Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Sunday.

He was shot dead by police in the temple's car park during the attack.

Officials say they are investigating reports that Page had white supremacist links, and the FBI is treating the attack as possible domestic terrorism.

The temple attack follows a shooting in Aurora, Colorado at a midnight screening of the new Batman film on 20 July. Twelve people were killed and 58 were injured in the attack.

"All of us recognise that these kinds of terrible, tragic events are happening with too much regularity for us not to do some soul searching to examine additional ways that we can reduce violence, " Mr Obama said during an unrelated bill signing on Monday.

Mr Obama has pledged to work with members of both political parties and civic organisations to reach a consensus on the matter, but has not given details.

Debate on gun control issues has featured very little during the US presidential campaign, which has mainly focused on the economy, correspondents say.

Sikhs living in the United States have expressed their shock and fear after a shooting at a temple in Wisconsin on Sunday which left seven people dead. Some community members could not believe what happened. Others said they had feared such attacks since 9/11.

A gunman entered the Sikh temple on Sunday morning and opened fire, killing six people and injuring a policeman.

A vigil for the victims was held in nearby Milwaukee as police searched the suspect's home.

FBI and bomb squad officers have surrounded the property of the alleged gunman in Cudahy, about 2.5 miles (4km) north of the Wisconsin Sikh Temple and evacuated local residents.

In total seven people died in the attack in Oak Creek, a suburb of Milwaukee, including the gunman. A police officer and two other men were critically injured.
Muslim confusion

Officials have not yet identified the gunman or a possible motive, but Sikh organisations in the US say the community has been vulnerable since the 9/11 attacks.
Continue reading the main story    
Sikhism at a glance

    Sikhism is a monotheistic faith founded more than 500 years ago in South Asia
    Observant Sikhs do not cut their hair; male followers often wear turbans and do not shave their beards
    The faith has about 27 million followers worldwide. There are up to 500,000 Sikhs in the US, where they have sometimes been confused with Muslims
    In Sept 2001, an Arizona gas station owner, Balbir Singh Sodhi, was shot dead by a man said to be seeking revenge on Muslims for 9/11

"This is something we have been fearing since 9/11, that this kind of incident will take place," said Rajwant Singh, chairman of the Washington-based Sikh Council on Religion and Education.

"It was a matter of time because there's so much ignorance and people confuse us [as] being members of Taliban or belonging to [Osama] bin Laden," he told Associated Press.

"We never thought this could happen to our community," Devendar Nagra told Associated Press, "we never did anything wrong to anyone."

Sikhism hails from the Indian subcontinent and observant Sikhs wear turbans. Members of the community have been attacked in the past by assailants mistaking them for Muslims.

"That turban has tragically marked us as automatically suspect, perpetually foreign and potentially terrorists," Valarie Kaur, a filmmaker based in the US who has chronicled attacks on Sikhs, told the news agency.

Several hundred people turned up to an impromptu candlelit vigil in Milwaukee on Sunday evening for the victims of the shooting.

There are an estimated 2,500 - 3,000 Sikh families in and around the city worshipping at two gurdwaras and temples, including the Wisconsin Sikh Temple.
A man wipes away tears outside the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, where a shooting took place on 5 August 2012 Distraught family members are still waiting for news in Oak Creek

Lakhwinder Singh, a member of the congregation there, told Reuters that two of the victims were believed to be the president of temple and a priest.

"It will take a long time to heal. We're hurt very badly," he said.
'Terrorist-type incident'

President Barack Obama spoke of his sadness at the shooting, which comes just over two weeks after a gun massacre left 12 people dead at a Colorado cinema.

"As we mourn this loss which took place at a house of worship, we are reminded how much our country has been enriched by Sikhs, who are a part of our broader American family."

Local politician Mark Honadel called the attack "craziness".

The state representative told CNN: "Unfortunately, when this type of stuff hits your area, you say to yourself, 'why?' But in today's society, I don't think there's any place that's free from idiots."

Police have described it as a "domestic terrorist-type incident". The FBI are taking over the criminal investigation.

Zambian miners have killed a Chinese manager by pushing a mine trolley at him during a riot at a coal mine in the south of the country. A second Chinese was injured, as were several Zambians, during the riot on Saturday.

The workers were on strike at the mine in protest against delays in implementing a new minimum wage.

They were angry their wages were lower than a new minimum of $220 (£140) a month paid to shop workers.

Zambia's minister of labour has gone to the Chinese-owned Collum coal mine in Sinazongwe, 325km (200 miles) south of the capital, Lusaka.

"Wu Shengzai, aged 50, has been killed by protesting workers after being hit by a trolley which was pushed towards him by the rioting miners as he ran away into the underground where he wanted to seek refugee," Southern province police commissioner Fred Mutondo told state news agency, the Zambia News and Information Services.

"He died on the spot while his colleague is in hospital."
map

Last year, the Zambian government dropped charges against two Chinese managers accused of attempted murder after they fired on miners at the Collum mine during a pay dispute.

Chinese firms own several mines in southern African countries, including coal and copper operations.

Copper mining is one of Zambia's main industries, providing nearly three-quarters of the country's exports; many of the mining companies are foreign-owned, and China has invested more than $400m (£250m) in Zambia.

A 2011 report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that, despite improvements in recent years, safety and labour conditions at Chinese mines were worse than at other foreign-owned mines.

SLAMABAD: Interior Advisor Senator Rehman Malik Saturday said the Balochi people want to 'live with Pakistan' and that only those who were acting on foreign dictates were unhappy.

Addressing a press conference here, Rehman Malik said the statement Brahamdagh Bugti was welcome in which the latter said he belonged to a political party and not a militant organization. "His statement shows that he holds a soft corner for Pakistan," he added.

He said the government would send any leader to Brahamdagh Bugti chosen by the latter for holding talks.

The Interior Advisor said the government was ready to sit at the table with Sardar Attaullah Mengal, Akhtar Mengal and other Baloch leaders as well to address their grievances.

He said the number of missing persons in Balochistan stands at 36 and that ruled out a military operation as a possible solution to the province's issue. "Neither any operation is underway in Balochistan nor is there any need for one," he claimed, adding however that targeted action would certainly be taken where there is need.

(Curtsey by GEO NEWS)

Imran Khan challenges Main Nawaz Sharif to have a debate with him at any forum. 

Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan in a press conference Friday asked PML-N chief Mian Nawaz to answer his 11 questions to the nation. 

He accused PML-N chief of defaulting on bank loans worth Rs6 billion rupees. 

“Mian Nawaz Sharif borrowed this money and never returned it back”, he alleged. 

After giving details of his own assets to the media Imran Khan asked Mian Nawaz Sharif to explain certain facts. 

Imran said Nawaz Sharif should answer these questions to the public. 

The 11 question Imran asked are as under: 

1. Raymond Baker, an international renowned author, wrote in his book that Nawaz Sharif did corruption worth $417 million. The book says that Nawaz Sharif took a commission of $160 million from Daewoo for the motorway which was recently made. If Baker had made a false allegation, then why did you not initiate a case against him? 

2. You bought four apartments in Mayfair worth more than Rs1 billion. Now their value has gone up to Rs4.5 billion. Where did you get the money from? 

3. In 1994, you stated your income as Rs150,000 and you gave a tax of Rs14,000. If this is your income, then how did you buy a property in Mayfair? 

4. You took a loan from Al Taufiq Bank worth $30 million and then you defaulted it. They took you to court and attached your property. From where did you get the money to pay back those $30 million? 

5. Ishaq Dar gave an affidavit saying that Nawaz Sharif did money laundering by opening a fictitious account by the name of Qazi family in London. The BBC did a film on that too. 

6. You took a loan worth Rs6 billion from Pakistani banks and you had them defaulted. Did you return back the loan? 

7. You have a 1,700 acre land in Raiwind. Where did you get the money from to buy that land? 

8. Where did the people’s tax money go? How much of the tax money was put into Raiwind? 

9. Your whole family has properties in London. You want to do government in Pakistan but your children’s properties are lying abroad. You should own it like I owned it right now. 

10. You planted a steel mill in Jeddah of $150 million. Your tax return does not show that you have enough income to plant a mill. 

11. You froze your foreign accounts in 1998, but tell us, how much money did you transfer abroad the night before? 

Khan further clarified the accusations against Shaukat Khanum Hospital and said that whatever investment was done did not face any loss. “Bluechip company guaranteed us that they will bear the loss and we will get the profit. Our party’s senior leader will read out the email to you.” 

He added that all his assets as well as of his senior party leaders will be made public on his website within a few days. 

He also promised to expose Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. 

He said he was ready to have an open debate with Nawaz Sharif, adding Nawaz should come forward and speak himself instead of using his handpicked employees to talk.

MANILA: A Philippine gold mining firm said Friday waste had leaked from one of its mines due to heavy rains, forcing the government to shut down production. Chief mining regulator Leo Jasareno said the government was assessing the potential hazards posed by the tailings spill at the Padcal mine, though Philex Mining, the country's top gold mining firm, denied the discharge was toxic.

"We have issued a suspension order on the mine," Jasareno told as he drove to the mine, located near the northern mountain resort of Baguio. There were no reported casualties.

"Philex is exerting its maximum effort to address the accidental discharge, and has mobilised the requisite resources in this regard," the company said in a statement.

The accident came amid an intense public debate in the Philippines on the mining industry.

The Philippines is believed to have some of the biggest mineral reserves in the world -- the government estimates the country has at least $840 billion in gold, copper, nickel, chromite, manganese, silver and iron ore deposits.

However, the minerals have been largely untapped, partly because of a strong anti-mining movement led by the influential Catholic Church, while poor infrastructure and security concerns have also kept investors away.

Last month President Benigno Aquino signed an executive order imposing more restrictions to protect the environment and local communities while seeking to increase royalties from mining firms.

As the government prepared a bill seeking to raise government revenues from the country's extensive mineral wealth, Aquino said no new mining permits would be approved until parliament passed a law giving the state a greater share.

Typhoon Saola induced widespread flooding across the northern Philippines this week that claimed at least 23 lives.

(curtsey by Geo News)