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Pakistan marks 60th anniversary | Pakistan marks 60th anniversary |
(40 minutes later) | |
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 | I urge all Pakistani citizens to get involved in the electoral process and become instruments of enlightened moderation President Musharraf |
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." |
In pictures: Celebration Memories of a family torn | In pictures: Celebration Memories of a family torn |
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 | 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 |
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. |
I'm very happy to come back. Independence has brought real freedom for me Tarsem Singh, former prisoner Nations apart | I'm very happy to come back. Independence has brought real freedom for me Tarsem Singh, former prisoner Nations apart |
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 strayed across the border. | To herald the celebrations in both countries, Pakistan allowed 134 Indian prisoners to return home on Monday, mostly fishermen or people who strayed across the border. |
India is set to return more than 100 Pakistanis on Tuesday, to complete the prisoner exchange, Pakistani foreign affairs official Ghulam Muhammad said. | India is set to return more than 100 Pakistanis on Tuesday, to complete the prisoner exchange, Pakistani foreign affairs official Ghulam Muhammad said. |