05 February 2005	Saturday	25 Zilhaj 1425

MUZAFFARABAD, Feb 4: Strict security measures were enforced in the AJK capital, particularly in areas around the AJK Legislative Assembly and New Civil Secretariat, on Friday to avert any untoward incident on Saturday when the nation demonstrates solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

On Friday afternoon, military personnel took over control of all the blocks in the New Civil Secretariat after thoroughly checking and sealing all the offices. The services and general administration department would be functioning on Saturday from the State Guest House, instead of from its offices in the New Civil Secretariat, an official source told Dawn.

The AJK assembly building where a joint sitting of the AJK assembly and AJK council will be held is virtually under army's control. President Pervez Musharraf is expected to be the chief guest at the meeting.

Official sources told this correspondent that at least five helipads had been made ready in the state capital for the landing of a VVIP helicopter with a view to keeping the exact landing spot confidential till the last moment. All the guests, including the assembly and council members, have been advised to be seated by 9:30am to avoid any problems.

On Saturday, no vehicle would be allowed entry in the assembly premises, except for seven vehicles, carrying the AJK president, prime minister, speaker, deputy speaker, chief justices of the Supreme Court and high court and the chief election commissioner.

But these vehicles too would have to leave the place after dropping these dignitaries, the sources added. President Musharraf, the sources said, was expected to meet various delegations at the MLA hostel after addressing the joint sitting. Later, he would attend a dinner hosted by Speaker Sardar Siab Khalid.

"Let's pray the weather remains fine so that the president is among us to make some good announcement," said Ms Noreen Arif, adviser to the AJK PM on information. Gen Musharraf, it may be recalled, had addressed the joint sitting of AJK assembly and AJK Council on the Kashmir Day in 2004 and 2002. In 2003, then prime minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali was the chief guest of the joint sitting.