Islamabad: Pakistani authorities today put in place extraordinary security measures in the federal capital ahead of a special session of parliament that will discuss the country's role in the war on terror and frame a homegrown policy to tackle the scourge.

The army was called out last night to protect Islamabad, especially as security officials believe the joint session of parliament convened by President Asif Ali Zardari at 5 pm today presents a target for militants who have carried out a series of suicide attacks across the country since last year.

All entry points to the capital were manned by dozens of police and paramilitary personnel and the "red zone", the heart of Islamabad that is home to key government buildings like the parliament, Supreme Court, presidential palace and Prime Minister's House, has been virtually sealed off.

Three companies of the army have been deployed in the red zone to protect government installations. Interior Secretary Kamal Shah said paramilitary Pakistan Rangers and army troops had been deployed to back up the police in providing surety to sensitive installations.

The interior ministry has drawn up a special security plan for the parliament session, including the use of a satellite for surveillance of the city and helicopters to provide air cove to the parliament building.

Special detectors, sniffer dogs and bomb disposal squad personnel have been deployed near parliament to check for explosives.

Since the special session of parliament will be held in-camera, even the media has been barred from entering parliament.

Source : PTI