ISLAMABAD, April 10: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Thursday that the government would mobilise all resources to ensure safety and security of the Olympic torch relay arriving in Pakistan on April 16.

He said the relay in Islamabad would be an important event in the history of the country and it would be held in a smooth, secure and safe manner in accordance with the Olympic Charter.

He was talking to the sports minister and officials of the Pakistan Olympic Association.

The Olympic torch will arrive in Islamabad on Tuesday night and the following day it will pass through different roads starting from the Old Parade Ground on the Constitution Avenue and end at the Pakistan Sports Complex.

The final two-hour ceremony will take place at the Liaquat Gymnasium.

Meanwhile, a Foreign Office spokesman said Pakistan was opposed to any attempt to politicise the Beijing Olympic games and the torch relay. He said that Pakistan did not foresee any disturbances when the torch relay would be held in Islamabad.

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...