VEHARI, March 18: President General Pervez Musharraf on Saturday visited the Mailsi garrison for the first time and attended different ceremonies there. On this occasion, local police, rangers and army had made unprecedented security arrangements. The law-enforcement agencies had sealed surrounding areas of the garrison and suspended traffic on Colony Road, Kehrorpucca Road, Karampur Road and Siphon Road. Law-enforcers were deputed on buildings, houses, agricultural farms and Nathay Shah graveyard.

Bahawalpur DIG Ghulam Haider Marth, DPO Muhammad Mukhtar Taka and others were present in the town to monitor security. All boys schools were closed and the town was wearing a deserted look as villagers did not turn up for trade.

APP FROM BAHAWALPUR ADDS: President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday said the government was taking all possible measures to provide state-of-the-art weapons and equipment to armed forces to maintain a qualitative edge. He was addressing army officers at Bahawalpur Garrison where Corps Commander Lt-Gen Imtiaz Husain was also present. He lauded the role of army for combating terrorism and carrying out relief work in earthquake-hit areas. The president’s address was followed by a question-answer session. Later, he visited the Bahawalpur Corps Headquarters where the corps commander briefed the president about the operational preparedness of the formation, administrative matters and measures taken for the welfare of troops.