KARACHI: Former ruler retired Gen Pervez Musharraf arrived in Karachi on Saturday amid tight security.

Officials said the security measures taken this time were tighter than those put in place when he made a disappointing homecoming last year on the same venue.

It was his first air travel since the treason trial started against him.

Sources said officials of the bomb disposal squad sea­rched the area around the airport before his arrival at around 9:15pm. Mobile phone jammers were put in place and no one, including media, was allowed to enter the area.

Police commandos had been deputed atop buildings around Terminal-1 while its vicinity overflowed with security vans and officials.

Senior officials of the Sindh Rangers kept visiting the place as well.

It is believed that the former president would receive treatment at Karachi’s PNS Shifa. Sources in his party said security concerns forced him to move from Islamabad for medical treatment. He was said to be feeling better to be able to travel by air.

Local leaders of his All Pakistan Muslim League said Mr Musharraf was permitted to travel anywhere in the country. However, he could not travel abroad as his name is still on the exit control list.

Soon after his plane landed in Karachi, Mr Musharraf boarded a large bullet-proof vehicle and joined a convoy that whisked him away somewhere his party leaders and security officials did not divulge.

The sources said he might be staying at a relative’s house in a posh neighbourhood of the city, which had been heavily cordoned by security personnel.