Amid threats of attacks from Islamic militants, Pakistan has scaled down its Indpendence Day celebrations tomorrow shifting the venue of the flag hoisting ceremony by President Pervez Musharraf here and banning all political rallies in Rawalpindi. Musharraf would unfurl the national flag before a select gathering at the closely guarded convention centre opposite Parliament building instead of Jinnah Avenue.After the flag hoisting, Musharraf would address the nation in which he is expected to announce the complete schedule of the October general elections. He is also expected to announce the final version of his constitutional amendments on sweeping powers to the President and steps to contain Islamic militancy.Islamic militants have stepped up their attacks in the country, particulary on foreign institutions following which some countries like France, US and Italy having closed their consulates in Karachi. The city adminstration of Rawalpindi, which houses the country’s military headquarters and is the hub of political activity, said it had banned the rallies so that the occasion is not used for ‘‘subversive activitites’’.
