PAKISTAN/INDIA: Pakistan celebrates 60th anniversary of independence amid security fears

Pakistan holds ceremonies celebrating the country's 60th anniversary of independence in Pakistan amid political troubles for its president and fears of militant violence. Independence day celebrations were held across Pakistan on Tuesday (August 14) amid tight security. President Pervez Musharraf faces one of his toughest periods since taking power in a 1999 coup, with growing political opposition to his attempt to win a second term and rising Islamist violence that has worried his ally, the United States. Islamist militants have stepped up attacks across Pakistan, including the capital, after a siege and bloody military assault last month on Islamabad's Red Mosque to dislodge a pro-Taliban movement killed 102 people. In Islamabad, which in past years would have been decked out with flags and illuminations, Independence Day was a low key affair due to security fears. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz vowed to stop any "foreign power" from violating the country's borders, in an apparent reference to statements from U.S. politicians doubting whether Pakistan was making progress against militants. "We have friendly relations with all countries of the world. We want to have good relations with our neighbours. We want to have peace in the region, and we are willing to play an active role to achieve this in the region," Aziz said at a traditional flag-hoisting ceremony in Islamabad to mark Independence Day. In the city of Lahore, troops hoisted the national flag at the Wagah border with India as some 200 people chanted "Long live Pakistan" slogans. Pakistani troops then offered traditional sweets to their Indian counterparts. Some U.S. politicians recently said the United States must be willing to strike al Qaeda targets in Pakistan even without Islamabad's permission -- drawing rebuke in the country. President George W. Bush also signed into law a bill requiring him to confirm Pakistan's progress in fighting Taliban and al Qaeda on the Afghan border before releasing future aid, disturbing Pakistanis sensitive to what they see as excessive U.S. demands. At an Independence Day meeting, Musharraf said his government "was determined to root out extremism and terrorism... and we will not let anyone use Pakistani soil for purpose of terrorism." Newspapers were packed with opinion pieces analysing Pakistan's 60 years. Many focused on what one commentator called an "orgy of pessimism" surrounding Pakistan's troubled years of military rule and struggles with democracy.

ITN Source | August 14, 2007

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