New Delhi (AsiaNews) – The Olympic torch arrived in Pakistan today surrounded by tight security. The authorities do not expect anti-Chinese protests but remain on high alert after mass demonstrations in Europe and the United States in recent weeks.
The planned relay run in Islamabad’s main streets till parliament was moved to Jinnah Stadium for “security reasons”, including possible Islamist attacks.
The torch’s journey, under the watchful eyes of thousands of policemen, is back on an official track with a profusion of fraternal statements.
President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani are expected to attend the farewell ceremony at the stadium.
Pakistan has close ties to China, which is building four naval frigates for its South Asian ally, and helping it construct the Arabian Sea port of Gwadar.
Musharraf, one of the few world leaders to support China’s March crackdown in Tibet, is just back from a six-day visit to China where he urged greater Chinese investments in his country and discussed the possibility of building an oil pipeline from the Persian Gulf through Pakistan till China, crossing mountains up to 4,500 metres (15,000 ft) high.
Tonight the torch will arrive in Mumbai, India, before moving tomorrow to New Delhi where huge pro-Tibet demonstrations are expected. In view of that India has reduced the torch’s route from 9 to 3 kilometres with 15,000 policemen protecting the relay.
Dhondup Dorjree, president of the Tibetan Youth Congress, told AsiaNews, that about 100 of its members again tried this morning to get into the Chinese Embassy in Chanakyapuri (New Delhi) to protest, with some 60 detained by police as they tried to climb the wall.
He pledged his group would continue its “peaceful demonstrations” across the country. (NC)