Tight security as Jonathan, others arrive Pakistan

Security has been beefed up in and around Islamabad, Pakistan, as President Goodluck Jonathan and seven other heads of government arrived in the country for the summit of Heads of State and Government of the Group of Eight Developing Nations.

The country is noted for terrorist activities.

Apart from Jonathan, Presidents Mohamed Morsi of Egypt, Susilo Yudhoyono of Indonesia, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran and Prime Minister Recep Erdogan of Turkey are believed to be in Pakistan for the summit.

Malaysia is likely to be represented by its Deputy Prime Minister and Bangladesh by its Foreign Minister.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina Wajid, was said to have informed the Pakistani government of her inability to attend the summit, despite having initially agreed to be part of it.

Ahead of the arrival of the heads of government, security has been beefed up around the hotels resserved for them and members of their delegations.

Increased military presence was also noticed at Diplomatic Enclaves accommodating foreign missions in the country.

As part of measures aimed at curtailing the number of persons that will have access to the venue, media centres have been opened in two hotels in the city, Serena and Marriot Hotels.

Accredited journalists would be allowed to monitor events from the centres.

Only accredited photojournalists and television cameramen would have access to the venue of the opening ceremony.

They will be moved in dedicated vehicles from a designated hotel to the venue and will remain there until the event is over.

Our correspondent learnt that the Pakistani authorities were considering moving the venue of the summit to the Presidency to ensure safety of the heads of state and members of their delegations.

About 2,500 security agents comprising personnel of Rangers, Frontier Constabulary, special branch and police commandos were said to be on standby for security.

Armed soldiers attached to Quick Reaction Force were stationed strategically around hotels and major roads in the city.

Barriers were mounted on major roads, especially the roads leading to Red Zone.

The police have also imposed a ban on the entry of heavy duty and construction vehicles in Red Zone till November 25.

The entry of the public into the high security area has also been banned.

Only last month, the United States Government issued an advisory, warning its citizens to stay away from some government buildings in Pakistan for fear of terrorist attacks.

The D-8 is a group of developing countries with large Muslim populations that have formed an economic development alliance.