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Olympic torch relay in Pakistan Olympic torch relay in Pakistan
(about 1 hour later)
Ceremonies to mark the arrival of the Olympic torch in Pakistan have been taking place amid tight security.Ceremonies to mark the arrival of the Olympic torch in Pakistan have been taking place amid tight security.
Thousands of police and troops were deployed, and the torch run was confined, for security reasons, to a sports stadium in Islamabad.Thousands of police and troops were deployed, and the torch run was confined, for security reasons, to a sports stadium in Islamabad.
The relay has been met with protests in London, Paris and San Francisco over China's handling of Tibet.The relay has been met with protests in London, Paris and San Francisco over China's handling of Tibet.
In India, where the torch arrives on Thursday, there have been protests with at least 50 Tibetans being detained.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. Olympic flame
The ceremony in Islamabad was begun by a marching band, with thousands of cheering guests waving flags.
Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yusuf Gilani watched as the torch was lit from the Olympic flame.
Then some 60 Pakistani and Chinese athletes carried it round the track of the Jinnah stadium, joggling slowly in the limited space.
Our correspondent in Islamabad, Barbara Plett, says that because of the strong friendship between the two countries, there was less fear of disruption by protests than in other cities.
Mr Musharraf has just returned from a visit to China, with which Pakistan shares historic defence and economic links.
Demonstrations
The demonstration in India, 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.India, too, has shortened the route along which the torch is to be carried, amid threats that the run will be disrupted.
Preparations India has seen protests over the Olympics for several weeks
Demonstrations against China's policies on Tibet and Darfur have forced previous relay legs to be shortened or diverted.Demonstrations 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.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.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.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. Although 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.
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.
OLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE Torch lit in Olympia on 24 March and taken on five-day relay around Greece to AthensAfter handover ceremony, taken to Beijing on 31 March to begin a journey of 136,800 km (85,000 miles) around the world Torch arrives in Macau on 3 May. After three-month relay all around China, it arrives in Beijing for opening ceremony on 8 August See detailed route on Beijing 2008 official siteOLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE Torch lit in Olympia on 24 March and taken on five-day relay around Greece to AthensAfter handover ceremony, taken to Beijing on 31 March to begin a journey of 136,800 km (85,000 miles) around the world Torch arrives in Macau on 3 May. After three-month relay all around China, it arrives in Beijing for opening ceremony on 8 August See detailed route on Beijing 2008 official site