Olympic torch touches down in Pak

 Thousands of Pakistani paramilitary troops have been deployed to protect the torch. Citing security fears, including from al-Qaeda and Taliban militants active in the country, the authorities have shortened the relay route. Around 60 Pakistani athletes are expected to carry the flame around the grounds of Jinnah stadium before a musical ceremony. China's official news agency Xinhua quoted Pakistani media as saying that President Pervez Musharraf and new Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani are likely to attend the event.

 Protests against China's policies on Tibet and Darfur have forced previous relay legs to be shortened or diverted. Pakistan, which has close ties with China, is keen to avoid any chaos as witnessed in London, Paris and San Francisco during the torch's short stay here.Following the Islamabad stop, the torch relay will proceed to New Delhi tomorrow.

 Meanwhile back home, Sachin Tendulkar today became the latest celebrity to pull out of the Olympic torch relay run here just a day before the event. The master batsman has been advised by his IPL team physio not to take part in the event in view of his groin injury. Sources close to Mumbai Indians team said physio A Ijaz has told Tendulkar to skip in the event. Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi, however, said he has not received any information in this regard.

  "IOA has not received any communication from Tendulkar withdrawing from the torch relay. He told me a few days back that he will be arriving in Delhi on April 17 morning. I have not received any communication to the contrary, we have to wait and see," Kalmadi said.IOA General Secretary Randhir Singh was also not aware of any such information. The name of the runners in the torch relay and other details of the event will be announced later in the day. National football captain Baichung Bhutia and India's first IPS officer Kiran Bedi had earlier pulled out of the event. While Bhutia decided to skip the event in support of the Tibetan cause, Bedi had cited "scuffing" security arrangement. Yesterday, Bollywood actor Soha Ali Khan had pulled out of the torch relay saying she has prior engagements tomorrow.