KARACHI, July 6: Following the firing of shots from the rooftop of a Rawalpindi house overflown by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's aircraft, extraordinary security was provided during his scheduled visit to Karachi on Friday evening, upon his return from flood-ravaged Turbat.

Even as compared to the usual practice, a significantly increased number of law-enforcement officials were posted along Sharea Faisal, while army helicopters circled the skies.

Several hundred police commandos and Rangers’ personnel were posted along Sharea Faisal and prior to General Musharraf’s arrival, all connecting roads were closed for traffic. Given that a few years ago, Rangers spotted a vehicle laden with explosives near Falak Naz Plaza, all vehicles parked along the Sharea Faisal roads were removed during the afternoon.

All the flyovers and pedestrian bridges along General Musharraf’s route were sealed while sharp-shooters were posted at high-rise buildings located at strategic spots.

Half an hour before General Musharraf’s arrival, all roads leading to Sharea Faisal were closed by personnel of the area police stations, while just before the president’s motorcade went past, pedestrians were not allowed to step on to Sharea Faisal.

Similarly, all petrol stations along the route had to lower their barriers, a consequence of the December 25, 2003, attempt on the president’s life when a truck laden with bombs was driven into his convoy.

Launched from a petrol station, the attack resulted in the deaths of 14 people though the president’s badly damaged car made it through. Since then, all petrol stations along Sharea Faisal have been ordered to lower their barriers ahead of the president’s visits to the city.