ISLAMABAD, Dec 25: The local police on Saturday cordoned off Zardari House in Sector F-8/2 after receiving information about arrival of PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari here, sources told Dawn. Mehboob Aslam, Additional Senior Superintendent of

Police (ASSP) told Dawn that police were deployed at Zardari House in order to provide him security after receiving information about his arrival in Islamabad to attend the marriage ceremony of a daughter of PPP Secretary-General Raja Pervez Ashraf at Gujar Khan on Saturday.

Replying to a question, Mr Aslam said police deployment was meant to provide security to the PPP leader and not to arrest him.

The sources said an inspector, two sub-inspectors, three assistant sub-inspectors, 24 head-constables and constables were deployed at Zardari House.

A policeman on cordon duty told Dawn that they had reached Zardari House at 8:00am but they did not know the purpose of their deployment.

The sources said police had also tightened security at the Islamabad International Airport and the roads leading towards Zardari House.

In charge PPP media office Nazeer Dhoki, when contacted, denied that Asif Ali Zardari was due in Islamabad. "I have no idea why the police have cordoned off the house," he added.