A proud day for Pakistan, to welcome the Olympic Torch that will make it’s way eventually to Beijing, China.
Touchdown for torch in Pakistan
Thousands of Pakistani troops have been deployed to protect the Olympic torch which has touched down in Islamabad. The flame arrived in the capital by plane from Oman on the latest stage of its journey towards the Beijing Games. Security fears mean the torch will be paraded along a much shorter route than originally intended when it is taken to the city’s main sports stadium later. In India, where the torch arrives on Thursday, there have been protests with at least 50 Tibetans being detained. The demonstration, which was in front of the Chinese Embassy in Delhi, was quickly broken up by police. India, too, has shortened the route along which the torch is to be carried, amid threats that the run will be disrupted.
Preparations
Protests against China’s policies on Tibet and Darfur have forced previous relay legs to be shortened or diverted. Other cities preparing to receive the torch are also making preparations. India has seen protests over the Olympics for several weeks In the Australian capital Canberra, police have been given extra powers to search those watching the relay for items such as guns and knives. There are fears of clashes between Chinese supporters and Tibetan groups protesting about their rights, with both sides planning to have a large presence at the Australian relay event next week.
China’s ambassador to Pakistan was among the dignitaries waiting at a military section of Islamabad airport, where the flame arrived in the early hours of Wednesday. Later around 60 Pakistani athletes are expected to carry the flame around the grounds of Jinnah stadium before a musical ceremony attended by President Pervez Musharraf. Mr Musharraf has just returned from a visit to China, with which Pakistan shares historic defence and economic links.
Human rights protests caused chaos during the torch’s passage through London, Paris and San Francisco last week. Subsequent stop-overs in Argentina, Tanzania and Oman have been largely trouble-free.
President Musharraf arrives in Sports Complex Islamabad
Updated at: 1635 PST, Wednesday, April 16, 2008
ISLAMABAD:
**President Pervez Musharraf has arrived in the Sports Complex Islamabad to inaugurate the Olympic torch rally here. Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani received the President and the first lady upon their arrival. **
*Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf (L) and Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani (R) wave to the public as Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee Executive Vice President Jiang Xiaoyu smiles during an Olympic torch ceremony in Islamabad April 16, 2008. *
It is good for Pakistan. There was a very splendid torch passing ceremony in Islamabad with both the President and Prime Minister speaking. Good to see a festive and friendly atmosphere. Congratulations to Pakistan. :k:
Meanwhile, Nepalis are still denied basic human rights, and the Chinese government continues to deny its citizens basic freedoms.
Everywhere else in the world, sensible people held peaceful protests (and some not so peaceful) to bring China's human rights record to the world's media. Meanwhile, we're so linked to the Chinese (as we are so stuck on the Americans) that this wasn't even an issue for us. Really, if there are two courses of action for the Pakistani state to take, why is it that it will almost always opt for the wrong one?
it was up to people to protest they chose not to. I am however confused..they should protest about human rights records of China, but they cant protest about human rights records of Israel.
The protests in pakistan have always been run by groups with special interests. that is why you see protests against US and Israel and UK, but not against Darfur.
why expect one against China? people dont care, they are focused on their own survival.