US raids free child prostitutes

FBI officials in the US say they have rescued more than 50 children from prostitution rings.

Nearly 700 hundred people were arrested in 36 cities over three days, officials said, in an operation targeting a number of prostitution hotspots.

Most of those rescued were girls under 18 with the youngest just 10 years old. Dozens of pimps were also arrested.

The raid was part of a larger FBI operation which has so far recovered nearly 900 children from prostitution.

More than 1,500 FBI agents and police officers took part in the raids, which were based on intelligence provided by local police forces.

Nationwide effort

The FBI said that information provided by those arrested in such raids often uncovered organised prostitution rings and could lead to further rescues.

Kevin Perkins, the Assistant Director of the FBI's Criminal Division, said that despite recent success, child prostitution remained "a significant problem" in the US.

Ernie Allen, president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, welcomed the arrests of hundreds of people, including 60 pimps who had been forcing the children into prostitution to make money.

"Child trafficking for the purposes of prostitution is organised criminal activity using kids as commodities for sale or trade.

"These kids are victims. They lack the ability to walk away. This is 21st Century slavery," Mr Allen said

source: bbc.co.uk

Foreigners advised to restrict movement

ISLAMABAD: A number of foreign missions in Islamabad have advised their citizens to restrict their movement after a fresh threat of terrorist attacks in the capital, sources in the interior ministry and diplomatic circles told Dawn on Wednesday.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik has warned of new threats of terrorist attacks in Islamabad and other parts of the country in the near future.

“The federal government issued a security advisory to the provinces and all authorities concerned two weeks ago on the basis of an intelligence report,” he said during a recent visit to the office of World Food Programme where a suicide attack claimed the lives of five UN officials.

“A security alert has been issued about possible attacks by terrorists in Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad and Balochistan,” he said, adding that steps had been taken to foil their nefarious designs.

According to the sources, the foreign missions have alerted their citizens in view of a possible military operation in Waziristan and reaction from the Taliban.

Malaysia has advised its nationals to be more vigilant. “According to the Pakistani authorities, another large-scale suicide bombing may take place and, therefore, Malaysians are advised to be more vigilant and avoid going to potential target areas,” said an advisory issued by the Malaysian Foreign Ministry.

It said the Malaysian Foreign Ministry and Malaysian High Commissioner in Islamabad would continue to monitor the situation and issue reports accordingly.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari has said terrorist attacks will not shake Pakistan’s determination to take the fight against extremists and militants to the end.

During a meeting with Executive Director of the World Food Programme Ms Josette Sheeran at the President House, he said: “The people of Pakistan are shedding the blood to make the country, the region and the world safe and free from extremist elements.”

The president offered condolences over the loss of innocent lives in the suicide bombing at the WFP office and said that heinous attacks, especially on people who were working for eliminating poverty and hunger, were condemnable.

PCB issues show cause notice to Dr Shah

KARACHI: International Cricket Council (ICC) has sent a written complaint to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) against the statement of Dr Shah in which he had said that umpire Simon Toffel fixed the match with Indian lobby. PCB has issued a show cause notice to Dr Shah, the member of the governing body of the Board. According to PCB spokesman, since this statement may cause negative impact on PCB-ICC relations that’s why show cause notice has been issued to Dr Shah.

Obama delays signing K-L bill due to criticism

Updated at: 1635 PST, Wednesday, October 07, 2009
WASHINGTON: President Obama has delayed signing Kerry-Lugar bill due to reports of criticism on the bill in Pakistan, Geo news reported Wednesday.

According to sources, the decision came following reports in regard to reservations and questions raised by different sectors in Pakistan over the bill.

It is pertinent to mention that Kerry-Lugar bill will be debated in the national assembly today as PML-N Tuesday tabled the adjournment motion to debate on K-L bill in the Lower House which speaker Fehmida Mirza accepted for debate.

Mansha says can bring more investment than K-L bill

KARACHI: The Chairman of an independent Nishat Group Mian Muhammad Mansha who owns the MCB Bank, becoming critic of Kerry-Lugar bill, has said Wednesday, I can bring more annual investment in Pakistan than what will be gained through Kerry-Lugar aid bill.

But he conditioned the influx of heavy investment in country with the support of government if extended for the development of private sector in Pakistan.

This Mansha stated at the inauguration ceremony of induction of Nishat Power Company (NPC) in Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) here early on Wednesday morning.

On the occasion, he said the delay in the merger of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Muslim Commercial Bank (MCB) is caused by regulators which has cost account holders a lot.

He expected the merger of two banks by the end of coming week, saying Nishat Group is pioneer among Pakistani private giants, which will own foreign banks for the first time.

Moreover he said, our economy has started witnessing growth and can be further improved if we consider prices of our commodities.

SPORTS: Groups confirmed for ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

The ICC Board meeting in Johannesburg today confirmed the groups for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

In Group A there will be Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya.

In Group B there will be India, South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland and Netherlands.