PRIME MINISTER’S SPEECH FOR THE BEIJING OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY AT ISLAMABAD ON 16^TH APRIL 2008

Islamabad: APRIL 16, 2008

Bismillah-ar-Rehman-ar-Raheem

From Olympia to Islamabad and onwards to Beijing, the journey of the Olympic Torch carrying the message of Harmony symbolizes the Olympic ideals of peace, friendship and international understanding. Here, today, we the people of Pakistan reaffirm our commitment to lighting the passion and sharing the dream of global harmony. To the Olympic Torch and our esteemed guests who have brought it to us, welcome to Islamabad and thank you gracing us with your presence today.

For the people of Pakistan, it is a moment of great pride and joy to be hosting the Olympic Torch today on its global Journey of Harmony before it finally reaches its destination in Beijing where athletes representing the entire community of nations will join together in celebrating the Olympic spirit. The message of harmony of the Olympic Torch carries across the globe on its journey is one which I hope and truly believe is not just symbolic but instead, reflects our tomorrow. The Olympic Torch today placed upon us a citizens of a growing yet shrinking world a great responsibility – a responsibility we must stand up and accept – a responsibility to share a universal vision of harmony – a responsibility to make the world a peaceful home for our future generations and to whom history will make us answerable.

The People of China and the People of Pakistan share a historical and close friendship and I extend our congratulations to our neighborly brothers on hosting the Olympic Games and wish and pray for successful Games. I would like to extend our heartiest gratitude and thanks to the International Olympic Committee, President Jacques Rogge, the city of Beijing and the Organizing Committee of the Beijing Olympics in allowing us to participate in and share with you this momentous occasion. I would like to specially thank the wonderful efforts of the Citizens Community which comprises of volunteers from the city of Islamabad, the Pakistan Olympic Association and the hundreds of others from all walks of life who have come together in ensuring that we extend our traditional Pakistani hospitality to the Olympic Torch and its accompanying delegation. As the Olympic Torch leaves today enroute to Beijing, to our dear friends who accompany it, I hope you will take with you some fond memories of your short stay with us and pass on to all those you meet on your glorious travels in the weeks to come, the inherent creed of peace and love we in Pakistan believe in. Let us work together to fulfill the dream of Harmony.

There is lot of commonality between the spirit of Olympics and that of democracy. Both share the great human values of fairness, Justice, healthy participation, and competition based on level playing field for all. Pakistan must therefore, while joining in this Olympic Journey, try and improve its sports standards during the democratic dispensation that has just commenced. Through this event, our democratic Government would therefore, encourage all young men and women of Pakistan to Participate in sports of their choice with full freedom and liberty without any fear of any discrimination. It is however imperative to emphasis that true democratic traditions call for sports free of Politics and this would indeed be ensured by our Government.

Thank you.