Pakistani, Chinese officials review Beijing Olympics Torch Relay

ISLAMABAD—Pakistani and Chinese sports officials Thursday reviewed arrangements for the Beijing Olympics Torch Relay in Islamabad on April 16. Islamabad is Pakistan’s only and the world’s 22 cities selected for the Beijing Olympics 2008 scheduled for August 8-24 this year.
A 12-member Chinese Delegation headed by Jiang Xiaoyu, Executive Vice President of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) arrived here on Wednesday night to review arrangements like security, Torch Relay Routes. Besides discussing the arrangements with President of Pakistan Olympic Association, Lt. Gen. ® Syed Arif Hasan, the Chinese delegation also met the officials of Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior and Capital Development Authority. The delegation also called on the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Lt. General ® Syed Arif Hassan, President of Pakistan Olympic Association, in his meeting with the delegation, briefed them about the preparations, routes, promotional events, security plans made in connection with the Beijing Olympics Torch Relay. He assured them of the provision of full protocol, security and administrative support for the successful holding of the event in Islamabad.
Arif said that it is a matter of honour and pride for Pakistan that Beijing Organizing Committee for Olympic Games (BOCOG) has selected Islamabad as one of the venues for Beijing Olympic Torch Relay, to be held here on April 16. He said Pakistani people fully supported the Olympic ideals of peace and brotherhood and shared the Chinese people’s wish of building a harmonious society of enduring peace and common prosperity.
“We look forward to working closely for this common cause. The Relay will promote the Olympic spirit, further deepen our friendship and support for the Olympic Movement”, he said. Lt. Gen. ® Syed Arif Hassan, President, Pakistan Olympic Association and Mr.Rizwan Ullah Khan, Country Manager, Coco-Cola Pakistan hosted a lunch in honour of the Delegation at Gun Club, Islamabad. The delegation also visited National Monument at Shakar Parian, Islamabad and facilities of Pakistan Sports Complex, Islamabad.
Besides others, Mr. Ismail Hassan Niazi, Secretary Ministry of Sports, Syed Shahid Ali, IOC Member in Pakistan, Lt Col ® Salah-ud-Din, Director General Pakistan Sports Board, Mr. Kamran Lashari, Chairman CDA were present during the bilateral talks of Gen. Arif with the Chinese Delegation. The delegation consists of Jiang Xiaoyu, the Executive Deputy President (Vice Minister) of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), Luo Zhao Hui, Ambassador, Embassy of Peoples Republic of China in Pakistan, Wu Hailong, Director General, Department of International Organizations and Conferences, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Guo Yan, Counsellor, Department of Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin Xiaohua, Deputy Director of the BOCOG’s Torch Relay Centre, Li Ziyong, Director of Security Division of the BOCOG’s Torch Relay Centre, Ms. Peng Jie, Director of News Division of the BOCOG’s Torch Relay Centre, Wen Fulin, Deputy Division Director, BOCOG’s Torch Relay Centre, Luo Xiaobo, Deputy Division Director.

—Agencies