Celebrations are under way across Pakistan to mark the 60th anniversary of independence from Britain and the creation of the country.
Celebrations are under way across Pakistan to commemorate the 60th anniversary of independence from the UK and the creation of the country.
Fireworks lit up the sky and crowds filled the streets as clocks struck midnight in the capital, Islamabad.
President Musharraf marked the anniversary by staunchly defending sovereignty and calling on the nation to unite against terrorism.
Pakistan is holding celebrations throughout Tuesday, while India marks independence one day later.
Pakistan is celebrating on Tuesday and India marks independence one day later.
The violent partition of 1947 saw 10 million people cross borders in one of history's largest mass migrations.
The violent partition of 1947 saw 10 million people cross borders in one of history's largest mass migrations.
It was one of the most troubled upheavals of the 20th Century as the departing British split the subcontinent with India set between West and East Pakistan, which later was to become Bangladesh.
'Sabre-rattling'
Difficult times
Fireworks lit up the sky and crowds filled the streets as clocks struck midnight in the capital, Islamabad.
The BBC's Dan Isaacs, in Islamabad, says that at the stroke of midnight, fireworks illuminated the sky above the country's parliament buildings.
I urge all Pakistani citizens to get involved in the electoral process and become instruments of enlightened moderation President Musharraf
Dawn then sounded with 21-gun salutes across the country and millions took to the streets on a national holiday.
Both President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz launched strong defences of national sovereignty to mark the day.
In comments released by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan, President Musharraf fiercely rejected allegations that his anti-terrorism platform was for the benefit of the US.
"We are not confronting terrorism for America, we are doing it for ourselves," he said.
"I see everything from Pakistan's point of view. Now if Pakistan's point of view suits America, all right."
Crowds waved flags and set off firecrackers, but spirits were dampened somewhat by a torrential downpour that quickly turned the streets and grass verges into a muddy swamp.
Gen Musharraf denounced as "sabre-rattling" suggestions by some US politicians that America should use military force if necessary against al-Qaeda in Pakistan without Islamabad's consent.
"I am 200% sure that these [comments] are neither at official nor at government level," he said.
Gen Musharraf said al-Qaeda and other militant organisations using Pakistan's border areas posed a threat to the country that must be tackled.
"It is time that the entire nation rises against them," he said.
The president said that national elections this year would be free and fair, ensure economic stability and would be held in a free media environment.
Mr Aziz vowed to stop any "foreign power" from violating the country's borders as he attended a traditional flag-hoisting ceremony in Islamabad, adding that nuclear weapons were "symbols of our national honour".
Prisoner exchange
Correspondents say that this year's celebrations have been more low-key than usual because of tighter security created by the threat from Islamic militants.
HAVE YOUR SAY As a Pakistani I'm happy to be living in a free country. Yes, it is not perfect. But it is my home Sahilian, Pakistan Send us your comments
The mood was sombre and serious, with security forces on high alert after weeks of unrest and bloodshed.
The BBC's Dan Isaacs in Islamabad says that people who did attend celebrations were under no illusions that the months ahead are going to be turbulent.
Crowds waved flags and set off firecrackers in the capital, but spirits were dampened somewhat by a torrential downpour that quickly turned the streets and grass verges into a muddy swamp.
I'm very happy to come back. Independence has brought real freedom for me Tarsem Singh, former prisoner Nations apart
Later in the day a minute's silence commemorated the hundreds of thousands of people who died in rioting when Pakistan was carved out of British India.
Later in the day a minute's silence commemorated the hundreds of thousands of people who died in rioting when Pakistan was carved out of British India.
These are difficult times in Pakistan and people attending the celebrations were under no illusions that the months ahead are going to be turbulent, our correspondent adds.
To herald the celebrations in both countries, Pakistan allowed 134 Indian prisoners to return home on Monday, mostly fishermen or people who strayed across the border.
India is set to return more than 100 Pakistanis on Tuesday, to complete the prisoner exchange, Pakistani foreign affairs official Ghulam Muhammad said.
A volatile run-up is expected to presidential and parliamentary elections and there is growing Islamist militant opposition to the rule of the president, General Pervez Musharraf.
Tuesday is a national holiday in Pakistan, which was holding 21-gun salutes and flag-raising ceremonies across the country.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Gordon Brown both congratulated Pakistan on the anniversary.
The Queen sent a personal message to Gen Musharraf, while Mr Brown said the "history, values and hopes" of Pakistan were "permanently intertwined" with those of the UK.
'Real freedom'
To mark the occasion Pakistan has allowed 134 Indian prisoners to return home, officials say, mostly people or fishermen who strayed across the border.
India is expected to make a reciprocal release soon India is set to return more than 100 Pakistanis on Tuesday, to complete the prisoner exchange, Pakistani foreign affairs official Ghulam Muhammad told the AP news agency.
Correspondents say the latest prisoner exchange happened with little fanfare near the city of Lahore at Wagah, the main border crossing between the two countries.
Among those sent back on Monday was 59-year-old Tarsem Singh, who said he had spent the past seven years in a Pakistani prison after straying across the border when he was drunk.
"I'm very happy to come back," he said. "Independence has brought real freedom for me," he told AP.
Fittingly lofty
Partition unleashed an orgy of violence as millions of people moved across the new borders between Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan.
Some of the tension between India and Pakistan has dissipated
Estimates of the dead range from 200,000 to more than one million.
The words spoken to mark independence were fittingly lofty.
"Long years ago," said India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, "we made a tryst with destiny and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge."
Pakistan's leader, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, used equally stirring language.
"The creation of the new state has placed a tremendous responsibility on the citizens of Pakistan.
"Our object should be peace within and peace without."
But the mass bloodshed in 1947 was only the beginning of bitter hostility between the two South Asian rivals.
HAVE YOUR SAY As a Pakistani I'm happy to be living in a free country. Yes, it is not perfect. But it is my home Sahilian, Pakistan Send us your comments After 20 years of independence, they were embroiled in the second of their three wars.
Soon after the 50th anniversary of independence, the two countries came perilously close to nuclear war as each engaged in tit-for-tat nuclear weapons tests.
But correspondents say that with the 60th anniversary, some of the bitterness between the two countries is finally mellowing.
Pakistan is dealing with increased Islamic militancy and questions over how long President Musharraf can remain head of the army and head of his country.
As India races to become an economic powerhouse, analysts say it must also deal with around one-third of its population of one billion people who live on less than one dollar a day.
