GHAZNI CITY (PAN): A much-awaited ceremony to declare Ghazni City as the Asian Capital of Islamic Culture and Civilisation began on Saturday in the southern province, amid tight security measures, officials said. The week-long celebrations began at 10:20am at the governor’s office with recitation of some verses from the holy Quran, followed by playing the national anthem and reading out a message from President Hamid Karzai. More than 2,000 people including Vice President Karim Khalili, foreign ministers of several Islamic and neighbouring countries as well as foreign diplomats and parliamentarians attended the opening ceremony amid tight security.