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Pakistan marks 60th anniversary Pakistan marks 60th anniversary
(about 3 hours later)
Celebrations are under way across Pakistan to mark the 60th anniversary of independence from Britain and the creation of the country.Celebrations are under way across Pakistan to mark the 60th anniversary of independence from Britain and the creation of the country.
Fireworks lit up the sky and crowds filled the streets as clocks struck midnight in the capital, Islamabad.Fireworks lit up the sky and crowds filled the streets as clocks struck midnight in the capital, Islamabad.
Pakistan is holding celebrations throughout Tuesday, while India marks independence one day later.Pakistan is holding celebrations throughout Tuesday, while India marks independence one day later.
The violent partition of 1947 saw 10 million people cross borders in one of history's largest mass migrations.The violent partition of 1947 saw 10 million people cross borders in one of history's largest mass migrations.
It was one of the most violent upheavals of the 20th Century as the departing British split the subcontinent with India wedged between West and East Pakistan, which later was to become Bangladesh.It was one of the most violent upheavals of the 20th Century as the departing British split the subcontinent with India wedged between West and East Pakistan, which later was to become Bangladesh.
Difficult timesDifficult times
The BBC's Dan Isaacs, in Islamabad, says that at the stroke of midnight, fireworks illuminated the sky above the country's parliament buildings.The BBC's Dan Isaacs, in Islamabad, says that at the stroke of midnight, fireworks illuminated the sky above the country's parliament buildings.
Nations apart Nations apart
Crowds waved flags and set off firecrackers, but spirits were dampened somewhat by a torrential downpour that quickly turned the streets and grass verges into a muddy swamp.Crowds waved flags and set off firecrackers, but spirits were dampened somewhat by a torrential downpour that quickly turned the streets and grass verges into a muddy swamp.
These are difficult times in Pakistan and people attending the celebrations were under no illusions that the months ahead are going to be turbulent, our correspondent adds.These are difficult times in Pakistan and people attending the celebrations were under no illusions that the months ahead are going to be turbulent, our correspondent adds.
A volatile run-up is expected to presidential and parliamentary elections and there is growing Islamist militant opposition to the rule of the president, General Pervez Musharraf.A volatile run-up is expected to presidential and parliamentary elections and there is growing Islamist militant opposition to the rule of the president, General Pervez Musharraf.
Tuesday will be a national holiday in Pakistan, which was holding 21-gun salutes and flag-raising ceremonies across the country. Tuesday is a national holiday in Pakistan, which was holding 21-gun salutes and flag-raising ceremonies across the country.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Gordon Brown both congratulated Pakistan on the anniversary.
The Queen sent a personal message to Gen Musharraf, while Mr Brown said the "history, values and hopes" of Pakistan were "permanently intertwined" with those of the UK.
'Real freedom''Real freedom'
To mark the occasion Pakistan has allowed 134 Indian prisoners to return home, officials say, mostly people or fishermen who strayed across the border.To mark the occasion Pakistan has allowed 134 Indian prisoners to return home, officials say, mostly people or fishermen who strayed across the border.
India is expected to make a reciprocal release soon India is set to return more than 100 Pakistanis on Tuesday, to complete the prisoner exchange, Pakistani foreign affairs official Ghulam Muhammad told the AP news agency.India is expected to make a reciprocal release soon India is set to return more than 100 Pakistanis on Tuesday, to complete the prisoner exchange, Pakistani foreign affairs official Ghulam Muhammad told the AP news agency.
Correspondents say the latest prisoner exchange happened with little fanfare near the city of Lahore at Wagah, the main border crossing between the two countries.Correspondents say the latest prisoner exchange happened with little fanfare near the city of Lahore at Wagah, the main border crossing between the two countries.
Among those sent back on Monday was 59-year-old Tarsem Singh, who said he had spent the past seven years in a Pakistani prison after straying across the border when he was drunk.Among those sent back on Monday was 59-year-old Tarsem Singh, who said he had spent the past seven years in a Pakistani prison after straying across the border when he was drunk.
"I'm very happy to come back," he said. "Independence has brought real freedom for me," he told AP."I'm very happy to come back," he said. "Independence has brought real freedom for me," he told AP.
Fittingly loftyFittingly lofty
Partition unleashed an orgy of violence as millions of people moved across the new borders between Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan.Partition unleashed an orgy of violence as millions of people moved across the new borders between Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan.
Some of the tension between India and Pakistan has dissipatedSome of the tension between India and Pakistan has dissipated
Estimates of the dead range from 200,000 to more than one million.Estimates of the dead range from 200,000 to more than one million.
The words spoken to mark independence were fittingly lofty.The words spoken to mark independence were fittingly lofty.
"Long years ago," said India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, "we made a tryst with destiny and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge.""Long years ago," said India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, "we made a tryst with destiny and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge."
Pakistan's leader, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, used equally stirring language.Pakistan's leader, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, used equally stirring language.
"The creation of the new state has placed a tremendous responsibility on the citizens of Pakistan."The creation of the new state has placed a tremendous responsibility on the citizens of Pakistan.
"Our object should be peace within and peace without.""Our object should be peace within and peace without."
But the mass bloodshed in 1947 was only the beginning of bitter hostility between the two South Asian rivals.But the mass bloodshed in 1947 was only the beginning of bitter hostility between the two South Asian rivals.
After 20 years of independence, they were embroiled in the second of their three wars.After 20 years of independence, they were embroiled in the second of their three wars.
Soon after the 50th anniversary of independence, the two countries came perilously close to nuclear war as each engaged in tit-for-tat nuclear weapons tests.Soon after the 50th anniversary of independence, the two countries came perilously close to nuclear war as each engaged in tit-for-tat nuclear weapons tests.
But correspondents say that with the 60th anniversary, some of the bitterness between the two countries is finally mellowing.But correspondents say that with the 60th anniversary, some of the bitterness between the two countries is finally mellowing.
Pakistan is dealing with increased Islamic militancy and questions over how long President Musharraf can remain head of the army and head of his country.Pakistan is dealing with increased Islamic militancy and questions over how long President Musharraf can remain head of the army and head of his country.
As India races to become an economic powerhouse, analysts say it must also deal with around one-third of its population of one billion people who live on less than one dollar a day.As India races to become an economic powerhouse, analysts say it must also deal with around one-third of its population of one billion people who live on less than one dollar a day.