18 April 2005	Monday	08 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1426

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

LAHORE, April 17: Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday made his first movement in the city, a day after his detention in the Bilawal House-II. Police sources said Zardari left the house for Shadman where he condoled the death of a lawyer friend. He remained there for some time and returned to the Bilawal House. Later, he attended the marriage of the daughter of a PPP leader in Cantonment.

The sources said Zardari was never arrested, but taken into ‘protective custody’ to avoid any harm to his life. They said the PPP leadership had requested for his protection.

“Give me the arrest warrants,” the sources quoted Zardari having asked a senior police officer who had entered the plane to escort him to the Bilawal House. The officer told the PPP leader that there was no plan or orders to arrest him. However, Zardari refused to accompany him.

The officer got off the plane and informed his seniors about the situation who again sent him back to Zardari. “Sir, take my words. We are not arresting you. We just want to escort you to your house safe and sound as a request to provide security to you had been submitted to the Punjab government by your fellow leaders. Please, try to avoid any fuss,” the officer told the PPP leader.

Zardari then insisted to be driven in his own car, which, too, from the international arrival. “If we are supposed to protect you, let us choose the way,” the officer requested him.

The officer took Zardari to his house by a private car. The sources said Makhdoom Amin Fahim was not driven with Zardari. “He was separately taken to another place,” they said.