Pakistan leaders join celebration

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani together held aloft the Beijing Olympic Torch yesterday to flag off the local leg of the relay.

At the opening ceremony, the two leaders presented the torch to Samiullah Khan, former national hockey captain. Musharraf and Gilani also attended the closing ceremony, underscoring the deep-rooted, "all weather" friendship between the two countries.

Khan said: "This is very important for me the Beijing Games is very important for us, because our best friend China is hosting it. The Pakistani people and I personally wish China the best of luck."