Pervez Musharraf holds the Olympic flame
The Olympic torch has begun its journey around the Jinna Stadium well away from members of the public. The ceremony began shortly after 17:30 local time [11:30 GMT] and was watched by dignitaries of both Pakistan and China. Sky carried Live pictures for 3 minutes before cutting away to other news. CNN have given over more coverage to the events with only a short break interrupting the feed from Pakistan Television. The BBC have shown little of the proceedings and no major networks showed the actual lighting ceremony when the torch was finally lit at 18:00 local time [12:00 GMT]. President Pervez Musharraf was handed the torch amid cheers from the invited guests and balloons were released. The relay was bizarre in as much as each torch bearer jogged only a few metres before handing it to the next one. Within 10 minutes of lighting the flame the 10th torch bearer was on their way around the stadium. Only 65 men and women were expected to carry the torch, 15 less than seen in other cities around the world. The Olympic flame arrives in India tomorrow where pro-Tibetan protests have continued with 50 demonstrators arrested in the last day according to reports [Official website - Beijing 2008]
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