Zardari asks US for Karzai-type security

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has reportedly asked the United States to provide him with personal security like that given to Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

According to sources, Zardari has stopped trusting Pakistani security guards following the recent assassination of Punjab Gov. Salman Taseer.

He has also, reportedly, confined himself to his Karachi residence, Bilawal House, for the last two weeks. Zardari is also said to be superstitious and seeks security advice from astrologers who advised him to live close to the sea and away from hills.

Islamabad is surrounded by hills whereas his residence in Karachi is close to the Arabian Sea. Since assuming the role of president, Zardari has routinely sacrificed one black goat a day at the Presidential Palace in Islamabad.