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Pakistan takes no chances with security

Pakistan has changed the venue for its Olympic torch run for to security reasons. The torch will arrive in Islamabad today on the first leg of its relay in Asia, as it makes its way to Beijing in August.

  • Reuters
  • Published: 00:17 April 16, 2008
  • Gulf News

Islamabad: Pakistan has changed the venue for its Olympic torch run for to security reasons. The torch will arrive in Islamabad today on the first leg of its relay in Asia, as it makes its way to Beijing in August.

"As such there's no threat but, obviously, because of the overall security environment, we didn't want to take a chance," said Lieutenant-Colonel Baseer Haider, a spokesman for the Pakistan Olympic Association.

Wave of bomb attacks

Pakistan has been hit by an unprecedented wave of suicide bomb attacks by militants linked to Al Qaida and the Taliban since an army assault on a mosque in Islamabad last July in which more than 100 people were killed.

The Olympic association had hoped to hold a torch run along Islamabad's main boulevard in front of parliament, but the event will now be held inside a nearby sports stadium.

"We selected the sport complex because it's manageable as the Met Office has also forecast thunderstorms and showers on Wednesday," Haider said.

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