After a gap of 44 years, the Olympic torch has arrived in Pakistan. From Muscat, it was brought to Islamabad on a chartered plane. A torch relay alongwith fireworks are planned for tomorrow (wednesday) in Islamabad.
So far, wherever the Beijing Olympics torch has gone, it has met protestors of pro-Tibet issue as well as demonstrators of pro-China stance. In Pakistan, strict security measures have been taken to stop any untoward incident.
The Daily News reports in a curtain raiser that:
The President and the Prime Minister of the country will be present to watch the Torch Relay which will start in the afternoon from Jinnah Stadium, the main stadium in Pakistan Sports Complex, just across from Liaquat Gymnasium.Up to 66 people will carry the torch, one after the other, from the starting point to the Liaquat Gymnasium for the final functions which will culminate in the lighting of the cauldron.
Prominent among the runners will be former world squash champion Jahangir Khan and celebrated hockey player Hassan Sardar who was the star of the Pakistan team that captured the Olympics gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Chinese Ambassador in Islamabad, Luo Zhaohui. will also carry the torch.
From Pakistan, the torch will go to India.
Metroblog Islamabad also carried a curtain raiser on this even and can be read here. Following photo is a collection 5 Olympic mascots of Beijing Olympics.
You can visit ATP on your Mobile Phone. Here's how!
Dear Ziam you are right. We should not mingle sports with politics.
Mr President and Mr Prime Minister, may you please leave this event for the sporting people only and consider of making Pakistan a real wellfare state.
Does it suit us to show rich display of firework to the world while our homes are devoid of basic needs e.g electricity, drinking water !!!
Dear Faraz,
Maybe you are right about China in Tibet. But this opens a Pandora box which many western nations may not like to peer into.
1) British and other settlers ousting Red Indian locals in Canada and Americas
2) Spanish Invasion of the Mayans in central America
3) British in India
4) Muslims in Europe
5) Indians in Kashmir
6) Israelis in Palestine
7) Americans in Philippines
8) British in Falkland
9) British in Australia
………….. and the list is terribly long.
The point is, Tibet invasion is by no means a bigger issue than any of the listed above. If someone needs to probe Tibet that badly, then I must say that we must start from the list above.
China sees Tibet as part of its historic borders which were drawn during the Qing dynasty and earlier aswell, the borders which are altered as the west and the other powerful nations meddled into their affairs, and they only wanted it back, since they were all powerful they got that back, so big deal!
If China’s occupation of Tibet is illegitimate, than I must say that British and Spanish Invasion of Red Indians was an atrocity aswell, same goes for the Australia’s invasion of British. If today a Red Indian movement starts demanding their home land, will all the white skinned population head back to Europe? and Mr .Spielsburg will settle in Hamburg? I really dont think so.
Tibet was and always been nothing more than a Western media trial of Chinese government since early 1960s. It is only a issue because the western media decides it to be one, it helps them win their political motives, and get some great airtime in the process.
Cynicism aside, this is a great moment for Pakistan to celebrate as the torch came here after almost 10 olympics. Plus, there are not many occasions like this so let’s enjoy and make our today better than to living in the past or getting worried about the future!
Eddie man, Steven speilberg is protesting about sudan because in Darfur (Sudan) arabian african are buthering african muslim on much large scale then Phalestine.
Somehow we are blind because muslims are killing muslims in Sudan. Well I do agree that USA is not clean too. They have created shadow prisons in Egypt and some east European countries and they have lost high moral ground while fighting this war on terror.
But USA is not treating its own citizens this way. So they are still one step better then China.
I will only watch opening and closing ceremony too ;)
I suspect most Pakistanis won’t so much as yawn at the Olympics; I certainly won’t….who wants to waste time watching outdated “sports”?? I’ll probably watch the opening/closing ceremonies, though; I always do, for some reason.
Anyway, about protesting, I think we have much bigger issues within our own country that need protesting. I’ve been somewhat surprised at the utter hypocrisy of the protests here, in the West. The most absurd one perhaps, is by Steven Spielberg who is against China’s involvement in Sudan…..say the Palestinian’s, “Where’s my protest, bro?”
Well I am sorry to say that we are supporting China because we are like them. Just like they supress Tibet, we do same with Baluchistan and other weak ethinic groups.
The way our police torrure suspected people is worst then “Abu Gharib”. So it is natural we will support China ins this regard.
Well I also dont like mixing game and sport but dont the world bycott South African cricket team for 20 years? There will be some reaction from human rights activist.
I don’t understand why they have to play politics with sporting events.I am happy for Chinese citizens and wish them good luck.
More so then Pakistan, I am more excited about the Torch’s visit to Oman.
Yay