ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: Setting aside the official and security protocol, President Asif Ali Zardari paid a visit to the house of property tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain on Monday night.

According to police sources, the president arrived at the house in Sector G-6/3 at around midnight with a fleet of private vehicles. He was escorted by workers of the Pakistan People’s Party.

The unscheduled visit caused confusion among security and law-enforcement agencies and different wings of Islamabad police stated communicating with each other to ensure security of the president’s private convoy.

Later, a contingent of police commandos was deployed in the street for security of the president who remained there for about an hour before returning to the presidency.

The purpose of the visit could not be ascertained.

Malik Riaz is considered to be a person wielding a lot of influence in the corridors of power.

President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar expressed ignorance about the visit.