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| Pakistan marks 60th anniversary | Pakistan marks 60th anniversary |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Celebrations are taking place across Pakistan to commemorate the 60th anniversary of independence from the UK and the creation of the country. | Celebrations are taking place across Pakistan to commemorate the 60th anniversary of independence from the UK and the creation of the country. |
| President Musharraf marked the anniversary by staunchly defending sovereignty and calling on the nation to unite against terrorism. | President Musharraf marked the anniversary by staunchly defending sovereignty and calling on the nation to unite against terrorism. |
| Pakistan is celebrating on Tuesday and India marks independence one day later. | Pakistan is celebrating on Tuesday and 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. |
| 'Sabre-rattling' | 'Sabre-rattling' |
| 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. |
| I urge all Pakistani citizens to get involved in the electoral process and become instruments of enlightened moderation President Musharraf In pictures: Celebrations Muted festivities Memories of a family torn | I urge all Pakistani citizens to get involved in the electoral process and become instruments of enlightened moderation President Musharraf In pictures: Celebrations Muted festivities Memories of a family torn |
| Dawn then sounded with 21-gun salutes across the country and millions took to the streets on a national holiday. | Dawn then sounded with 21-gun salutes across the country and millions took to the streets on a national holiday. |
| Both President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz launched strong defences of national sovereignty to mark the day. | Both President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz launched strong defences of national sovereignty to mark the day. |
| In comments released by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan, President Musharraf fiercely rejected allegations that his anti-terrorism platform was for the benefit of the US. | In comments released by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan, President Musharraf fiercely rejected allegations that his anti-terrorism platform was for the benefit of the US. |
| "We are not confronting terrorism for America, we are doing it for ourselves," he said. | "We are not confronting terrorism for America, we are doing it for ourselves," he said. |
| "I see everything from Pakistan's point of view. Now if Pakistan's point of view suits America, all right." | "I see everything from Pakistan's point of view. Now if Pakistan's point of view suits America, all right." |
| Views from Karachi's Clifton Beach on Independence DayIn pictures | Views from Karachi's Clifton Beach on Independence DayIn pictures |
| Gen Musharraf denounced as "sabre-rattling" suggestions by some US politicians that America should use military force if necessary against al-Qaeda in Pakistan without Islamabad's consent. | Gen Musharraf denounced as "sabre-rattling" suggestions by some US politicians that America should use military force if necessary against al-Qaeda in Pakistan without Islamabad's consent. |
| "I am 200% sure that these [comments] are neither at official nor at government level," he said. | "I am 200% sure that these [comments] are neither at official nor at government level," he said. |
| Gen Musharraf said al-Qaeda and other militant organisations using Pakistan's border areas posed a threat to the country that must be tackled. | Gen Musharraf said al-Qaeda and other militant organisations using Pakistan's border areas posed a threat to the country that must be tackled. |
| "It is time that the entire nation rises against them," he said. | "It is time that the entire nation rises against them," he said. |
| The president said that national elections this year would be free and fair, ensure economic stability and would be held in a free media environment. | The president said that national elections this year would be free and fair, ensure economic stability and would be held in a free media environment. |
| Mr Aziz vowed to stop any "foreign power" from violating the country's borders as he attended a traditional flag-hoisting ceremony in Islamabad, adding that nuclear weapons were "symbols of our national honour". | Mr Aziz vowed to stop any "foreign power" from violating the country's borders as he attended a traditional flag-hoisting ceremony in Islamabad, adding that nuclear weapons were "symbols of our national honour". |
| Prisoner exchange | Prisoner exchange |
| Correspondents say that this year's celebrations have been more low-key than usual because of tighter security created by the threat from Islamic militants. | Correspondents say that this year's celebrations have been more low-key than usual because of tighter security created by the threat from Islamic militants. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY As a Pakistani I'm happy to be living in a free country. Yes, it is not perfect. But it is my home Sahilian, Pakistan Send us your comments Pakistan media downbeat | HAVE YOUR SAY As a Pakistani I'm happy to be living in a free country. Yes, it is not perfect. But it is my home Sahilian, Pakistan Send us your comments Pakistan media downbeat |
| The mood was sombre and serious, with security forces on high alert after weeks of unrest and bloodshed. | The mood was sombre and serious, with security forces on high alert after weeks of unrest and bloodshed. |
| The BBC's Dan Isaacs in Islamabad says that people who did attend celebrations were under no illusions that the months ahead are going to be turbulent. | The BBC's Dan Isaacs in Islamabad says that people who did attend celebrations were under no illusions that the months ahead are going to be turbulent. |
| Crowds waved flags and set off firecrackers in the capital, 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 in the capital, but spirits were dampened somewhat by a torrential downpour that quickly turned the streets and grass verges into a muddy swamp. |
| Later in the day a minute's silence commemorated the hundreds of thousands of people who died in rioting when Pakistan was carved out of British India. | Later in the day a minute's silence commemorated the hundreds of thousands of people who died in rioting when Pakistan was carved out of British India. |
| To herald the celebrations in both countries, Pakistan allowed 134 Indian prisoners to return home on Monday, mostly fishermen or people who had strayed across the border. | |
| India formally handed over 72 Pakistani prisoners on Tuesday as it prepared to mark its Independence Day. |