Islamabad: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf left for the US early on September 7 on a week-long visit, nearly two hours ahead of schedule amidst tight security arrangements.

Musharraf left from Lahore at 01:15 hours (local time) instead of the scheduled departure at 03:45 hours by a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) commercial flight amid extraordinary security, media reports said.

Routes to the airport were sealed by commandos of Special Services Group (SSG), who also took control of the security at the airport.

"There was curfew like situation on all roads leading to the airport," local daily 'The News' reported.

During his week-long trip to US, Musharraf would take part in the commemorative ceremony of the September 11 terror attacks, address the UN General Assembly and hold talks with US President George W Bush and other world leaders.

He was seen off at the Lahore airport by Punjab Governor General (Retd) Khalid Maqbool, Corps Commander Lt General Zarrar and Foreign Secretary Riaz A Khokhar.

The official delegation comprised Musharraf's wife, Sehba, Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, Information Minister Nisar A Memon, Minister of state for Foreign Affairs Inamul Haq, Presidential spokesman Maj Gen Rashid Qureshi and Ambassador-at-Large Sharifuddin Pirzada as also Lt Gen (Retd) Tanveer Hussain Naqvi, the Chairman of National Reconstruction Bureau that finalised the controversial constitutional amendments promulgated by Musharraf.

PTI