Pakistan Olympic Torch relay in Islamabad
'Pakistan Times' National News Desk

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani leg of the Olympic global torch relay started on Wednesday.

The colourful ceremony took place behind closed doors at a sports stadium in Islamabad after organisers slashed the planned route through the capital at the last minute citing security concerns.

President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani held the torch together after it was lit, before passing it on to former hockey captain Samiullah.

Youngsters waved Pakistani flags and cheered as the flame was brought on a traditional horse-driven chariot. The army band played to herald the arrival of the torch.

Musharraf and Gilani arrived in a fleet of bulletproof Mercedes limousines, flanked by Landcruisers with roof-mounted guns. Armed bodyguards in suits stood guard and army helicopters flew overhead.

"It is indeed a great honour for Pakistan and its capital Islamabad to be included in the torch relay for the Beijing Olympics," Pakistan Olympic Association chairman Arif Hassan said in a speech.

Former squash star Jahangir Khan is set to light the cauldron at the end of the relay, which is set to involve around 60 people, Pakistani sources said.●