Pakistan PM Gilani advised to restrict movements

Islamabad, Jul 3: Security has been tightened around Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in view of threats to his life, a local media report said. The Dawn newspaper quoted security officials as saying that the premier has also been advised to restrict his movement.

''The prime minister had been requested to avoid attending public gatherings and to undertake only necessary and urgent activities,'' the report said, adding that the step had been taken in the wake of an intelligence report citing serious threats to the life of the prime minister. Because of the threat, the entire schedule of the prime minister, including inauguration of projects and visits to different cities, has been cancelled.

Mr Gilani has also been requested to hold meetings and functions in the Prime Minister Secretariat. The sources also said that security around the United Nations country's office was tightened after it had received a threatening telephone call.

They added an unidentified caller had threatened that the building would be blown up. A bomb disposal squad was asked to scan the building and adjoining areas.

Senior police official Ahmad Latif told newspersons that security in and around the capital had been beefed up. He said there was no specific terrorist threat but law-enforcement personnel had taken necessary precautionary measures.

UNI