KARACHI, Oct 26: As PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto prepares to fly to Sukkur on Saturday morning, two armoured vehicles imported at more than Rs18 million left the city on late Friday night to take the prime minister from Sukkur airport to Larkana.

Sources said the Pakistan People’s Party leader was all set to make her first journey to her hometown after her return from an eight-year self-exile last week, when she came under serious life threats as her welcome convoy was bombed. Since then security has further been tightened for her and the import of the two special vehicles is part of that strategy.

“The two vehicles have been cleared by the Customs authorities and most probably will leave tonight,” said a PPP source who did not want to be named. “The vehicles will pick up Ms Bhutto at Sukkur and drive her to Larkana. Plans for travel beyond Larkana are not yet known.”

The two bullet-proof jeeps of 2007 model have been imported at Rs9.65 million each with left-hand-drive features. A copy of an invoice obtained by Dawn suggests that the import orders of the vehicles were placed by the Zardari House in Karachi, and the vehicles were brought from Dubai after they were assembled in Japan. They are in the names of Azra Fazl and Faryal Talpur, sisters of Asif Ali Zardari.

The Toyota Land Cruiser jeeps are capable of deflecting gunshots and can also withstand any big assaults. With engine number HZJ-105-L GNMNS and frame number JTECBO9J703033929, one of the vehicles was released on Oct 16 while the other was handed over to the party on early Friday.

The diesel engine vehicles have central locking system with power steering, power mirrors and power window systems. The jeeps are equipped with radial tyres fixed in alloy rims, which help speed driving even in rocky and sandy areas. The two five-door vehicles can accommodate at least six persons, including the driver, and have manual transmission systems also.

Sources in the Customs said two more such vehicles, booked by the PPP, were due to arrive sometime next week.

“The two vehicles were booked even before the arrival of Ms Bhutto,” said a source close to the process.