Prez, PM to restrict movement

By Shafqat Ali

Islamabad

Oct. 5: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani have been asked by the interior ministry and security agencies to restrict their movement keeping in view threats to their lives.

"They (the President and the Prime Minister) have been asked to cut their public appearances and to restrict their movement. They have also been advised to keep their travel schedule completely secret," an interior ministry official said.

"Ministers, heads of political parties and important personalities have also been advised to stay away from busy places as much as they can," the official told this newspaper. He added, "The security agencies and the police are making all efforts to ensure security of the important personalities and of the common man, but the agencies still need the help of the people to minimise terrorist acts."

The officer said that barricades have been erected at all entry points to the capital and the security personnel are keeping check on each and every vehicle entering it. He said that the law enforcement agencies have been asked to remain vigilant and to increase the number of security personnel around these personalities. Their residences and offices have been brought under heavy security blanket to avoid any untoward incident. "Around 2,500 Islamabad police personnel along with over 100 mobile patrolling squads have been deployed at entry points." the official said.

He said the interior ministry is making all efforts to devise a comprehensive strategy and system, which would help detect the suicide bombers before they blow themselves up and cause huge life and material loss to the country. The interior ministry, he said, is also planning to install high technology scanners at entry points of various cities to check explosive laden vehicles.