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Pakistan assures foolproof security for Olympic Torch Relay
2008-04-15

ISLAMABAD (The Nation) Pakistan's Government on Monday held out categorical assurance to Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui of foolproof security arrangements for two-day Beijing Olympic Torch Relay to be held in here on April 15-16.

This assurance was given by Advisor to prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik during meeting with the Chinese Ambassador at his office.

Official sources told The Nation that Rehman Malik has assured Zhaohui of all out security arrangements for the event in the backdrop of threats being received by the Chinese Government about the proposed Olympics to be held in Beijing.

The meeting also viewed the security arrangements being made by the Interior Ministry.

The meeting was attended by Advisor on Interior, Chinese Ambassador, Secretary Interior Syed Kamal Shah, Chairman Pakistan Olympics Association, Lt. Gen. (R) Arif Hassan and high officials of different departments. According to the sources, some western politicians have launched efforts seeking boycotting of Beijing Olympics in support of Dalai Lama and his followers in Tibet.

Pakistan, which follows one China policy and regard Tibet as integral part of China, has also condemned such attempts by some western politicians.

Earlier, President Pervez Musharraf, currently visiting China also condemned these attempts to undermine the Beijing Olympics and assured the Chinese leadership of efforts being made to ensure peaceful holding of Torch Relay event in Islamabad, a APP dispatch said.

"We condemn any attempt by anyone to undermine the process of Olympic preparations, especially the Olympic Torch," Musahrraf said in response to a question by a student at Tsinghua University here.

Musharraf said, "We have taken all measures to ensure its security. There is not one man in Pakistan who would do anything against the interests of China."

He said Pakistan condemns any attempt by anyone to disrupt the process of torch relay and create ill-will.

President Musahrraf lamented attempts by some Western politicians and media to politicize the Olympics by smearing China's Tibet policy and human rights situation.

"First of all, we consider Tibet an inalienable part of China," he said. "If at all anyone is harboring or abetting the separatists, we condemn that."

Musharraf said the human rights and democracy environment of a Western country should not be superimposed onto other countries.

He said in every country, human rights and democracy have to be tailored according to its own dynamics, which China is doing well.

"The basic responsibility of any government is the security of the nation, progress and development, welfare and well-being of its people. Obviously this is being achieved (in China)," Musharraf said.

He called China a typical example of development and progress, welfare and well-being of its people.

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