ISLAMABAD, March 27: The capital city will come under international spotlight when the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch relay will pass through it on April 16.

Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) President Lt-Gen (retired) Syed Arif Hasan and Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui unveiled the plan for the reception of torch relay in Pakistan at a media briefing held at the Jinnah Stadium here on Thursday.

Fuwa, the official mascots of Beijing Olympics, were also displayed at the Olympic Torch relay route ceremony, carrying a message of friendship and peace and good wishes from china to children all over the world.

Each Fuwa was named in a traditional way of expressing affection for children — Beibei symbolises fish, Jingjing (Panda), Huanhuan (Olympic Flame), Yingying (Tibetan Antelope) and Nini (Swallow).

The Beijing Olympic Torch with its theme “Journey of Harmony” would cover 5.5km distance in Islamabad.

Pakistan is among the 19 countries selected by the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee for the Torch relay. The POA president said the torch would arrive in Islamabad on April 16 from Muscat, and would leave for New Delhi, India, the same night.

According to the route plan, the Olympics torch will be lighted at Jinnah Avenue near Aiwan-i-Sadr and will then pass through the Constitution Avenue, Khyaban-i-Suhrwardy, Serena Hotel, Kashmir Highway and then turn left towards the Pakistan Sports Complex.

A 30-minute colourful closing ceremony will be organised at the end of the Olympic torch relay.