Celebrations are under way across Pakistan to mark the 60th anniversary of independence from Britain and the creation of the country.
But as the people of Pakistan celebrate, one person who is worried is President General Pervez Musharraf.
He appeared on television admitting his popularity had taken a beating.
Fireworks and huge doses of patriotism marked 60 years of independence in the country.
Though under the surface there is a lot of restlessness. Up ahead are very controversial Presidential and general elections.
There are prohibitive security measures in place and many are asking whether there is any reason to celebrate.
''Our country has not progressed the way it should have. It has not gone the way Quaid-e-Azam had visualised it,'' said,'' said Ghulam Farid, stall holder.
Musharraf is now in a tight corner after the Supreme Court opened the floodgates to legal challenges after re-instating the dismissed Chief Justice.
Radical clerics
The campaign against radical clerics at the Lal Masjid has only spawned more militancy.
So faced with opposition to staying on as President in his uniform he dressed down on a popular television show to reach out to his people.
''This political year is an election year. It will bring political stability. This political stability will be a continuation of the progress which Pakistan is making now, and it will take us towards further improvements,'' said Musharraf.
''This is all for the benefit of the public. And all these things which we will achieve, God willing, will be for the benefit of the people. The welfare of the public is ultimately the responsibility of government,'' he added.
Yet the polls show few want Musharraf to stay on. According to The Dawn News survey, over half the people interviewed wanted him to quit his Presidency.
Forty per cent rated his performance as poor and only 29 per cent people want him to continue.
The only reason to celebrate is improving ties with neighbour India. At the Wagah border the pomp of ceremony was marked by a prisoner exchange.
Pakistan has allowed 134 Indian prisoners to return home. India will respond by releasing a 100 Pakistani prisoners.
But as the people of Pakistan celebrate, one person who is worried is President General Pervez Musharraf.
He appeared on television admitting his popularity had taken a beating.
Fireworks and huge doses of patriotism marked 60 years of independence in the country.
Though under the surface there is a lot of restlessness. Up ahead are very controversial Presidential and general elections.
There are prohibitive security measures in place and many are asking whether there is any reason to celebrate.
''Our country has not progressed the way it should have. It has not gone the way Quaid-e-Azam had visualised it,'' said,'' said Ghulam Farid, stall holder.
Musharraf is now in a tight corner after the Supreme Court opened the floodgates to legal challenges after re-instating the dismissed Chief Justice.
Radical clerics
The campaign against radical clerics at the Lal Masjid has only spawned more militancy.
So faced with opposition to staying on as President in his uniform he dressed down on a popular television show to reach out to his people.
''This political year is an election year. It will bring political stability. This political stability will be a continuation of the progress which Pakistan is making now, and it will take us towards further improvements,'' said Musharraf.
''This is all for the benefit of the public. And all these things which we will achieve, God willing, will be for the benefit of the people. The welfare of the public is ultimately the responsibility of government,'' he added.
Yet the polls show few want Musharraf to stay on. According to The Dawn News survey, over half the people interviewed wanted him to quit his Presidency.
Forty per cent rated his performance as poor and only 29 per cent people want him to continue.
The only reason to celebrate is improving ties with neighbour India. At the Wagah border the pomp of ceremony was marked by a prisoner exchange.
Pakistan has allowed 134 Indian prisoners to return home. India will respond by releasing a 100 Pakistani prisoners.
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