Karachi readies for Bhutto reception

Karachi: It is a different looking Karachi these days.

Most roads of this biggest city of Pakistan are dressed up to welcome former prime minister and chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party Benazir Bhutto who is set to end an eight-year-old exile by flying into Karachi on October 18.

Hundreds of billboards have been put up around the city, with big pictures of Bhutto as well as her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was executed by military ruler Zia-ul-Haq nearly three decades ago.

Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements are being made after a court ruled that Bhutto be provided maximum protection, an official said.

About 3,500 police and paramilitary troops will be deployed to guard Bhutto when she returns, the official said yesterday.