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.
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I suspect most Pakistanis won’t so much as yawn at the Olympics; I certainly won’t….who wants to waste time watching outdated “sports”??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