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Ashraf's private home may get helipad on government expense: Officials
Helipad will save police from "hassle" of finding personnel to man 300 security points from Islamabad to Gujjar Khan.
Ashraf, who took office on Friday, has moved into the premier's official residence. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD: The private home of Pakistan’s new prime minister may be furnished with a helipad at government expense to save police securing the 14-mile road trip from the capital, officials said Tuesday.
Police told AFP that helipads are customary additions to private residences as part of “VVIP” security arrangements in a country where Taliban insurgents attack repeatedly and Osama bin Laden lived undetected for a decade, according to one of his wives.
But critics lashed out at the arrangements as “disappointing” after Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said his first priority would be to resolve crippling power cuts that leave millions without electricity for up to 18 hours a day.
Ashraf, who took office on Friday, has moved into the premier’s official residence but like previous incumbents is expected to spend weekends at his private home, a mansion in Gujjar Khan, 23 kilometres south of the capital.
“Senior officials visited the site on Monday to review security arrangements. A site has already been selected for the helipad and its construction will commence very soon,” one police official told AFP.
He declined to speculate on the expense, but said the helipad would save police from “the hassle” of finding personnel to man a staggering 300 security points that would otherwise be needed between Islamabad and Gujjar Khan.
President Asif Ali Zardari, is famously so nervous about security that he travels by helicopter even on the short distance to the airport.
But other officials said a helipad was just one of a number of proposals being considered for the premier’s security and that there was no final decision.
Critics said it would send the wrong message when millions live in poverty, financial crisis could force Pakistan back to the IMF and relations with Washington are on the brink.
“He is enjoying all the perks of his position while ignoring the country’s economic problems,” said a spokesman for the main opposition PML-N party, Siddiqul Farooq.
“It’s a waste of money. It’s not surprising that a helipad is being made – that is how Pakistani prime ministers behave,” said political commentator Hasan Askari.
Opinions of Pakistan’s rulers “will not change until they perform,” he added.
Ashraf is a controversial choice for prime minister.
The Supreme Court last week dismissed his predecessor, Yousaf Raza Gilani, for contempt for refusing to reopen corruption cases against the president. Ashraf only took office after a judge issued an arrest warrant for the first suggested replacement.
He faces corruption allegations from his tenure as water and power minister, and many believe he will be forced out soon – either by early elections or the judiciary.
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Reader Comments (52)
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why not a helicopter.
there are so many rental Power Plants he can visit
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what a shame! every politician is in a race to fill his bags with money before elections.
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What a shame!
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It’s damned democracy making roots …. be patient
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Become PM and get all the facilities.
Lets bury the common people if you rulers think they are burden on the country.
Common people, please wake up and support PTI.
PTI Zindabad – PAKISTAN PAAINDABAD
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It’s just the beginning, stay tuned for more!
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He needs a space shuttle too.
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Whats the problem if it saves money manning the route and frees up policeman for other duties?
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Better yet make an airport for him as we are such a rich nation.
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AGAIN we see jealous people blue with envy
it will be much cheaper to travel by helicopter
one can be given to chief justice as well
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Elect Imran Khan as PM and get rid of this culture from our country! It is really shameful!!!
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what about fuel cost raja sab….hahaha…ridiculous
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Why not a helipad if it saves money and improves security ? Surely it will be cheaper than 500 car motorcade.
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so ‘typical’ life style of PM continues……. Bravo to Pakistani nation to have such incompetent people as their PM who thinks of his security only.
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It is better if he stays in islamabad for his less than 1 year tenure and save money. I dont want this money to be spend on helipad. I object as tax paying Citizen of Pakistan.
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he can’t help it!!!! he will be pm only once in his life.
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what is more practical spending a million on a helipad or spending millions every day (for the next 6 months) on securing the 14-mile road strip???
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This is max one could expect from Rental Power Ashraf. I heard one gets all sorts of luxury like unlimited utility bills, guards, bullet proof cars if one becomes PM or President even for a brief period. Can a poor country like ours afford this? Such luxuries should be reserved for those who complete their tenure and that too without any corruption charges.
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cement and steel going to waste
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its a good step as it will save security cost…
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huh! we poor tax payers
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so he already started working on easy escape.
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Don’t blame democracy.. blame the voters and non-voters!!!
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This called Social Sector Development in pakistan.
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It’s what they call “Democracy is the best revenge”.Recommend
@ democracy is for us: why can’t we just relocate the buffon to an already safer place? Why bring the PM house to him. Blighted nation.
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being airborne is subject to more threats here compared to travel by road as a helicopter can easily be targeted from any direction. and for airborne security there will be dummy heli’s as well, increasing the expenses.
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Do as much as possible for YOURSELF Raja Sasheb…
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He has only 8 months left, Gillani loted the country in 4.1 years, so he is in TOP GEAR…
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Uncle jee, what about providing Sui gas connection to your village people from whom you made fake promises and bagged votes?????
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Though its sound rediculously stupid, when millions of people are below poverty line and power outages are hitting us in shape of a worst energy crisis but this will save all those people from the misery of standing long hours on road blocks around Islamabad Highway and GT road only because the PM wants to take some time off..
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P.S helicopter only needs a plain piece of land. I don’t know what exactly are the plans!!!
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I wanna be pakistan next PM on public money oops sorry my bad on american money…..
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whats wrong with you guys, this is an elected government and its our right to spend money where ever we want.
we are corrupt and we are proud of it, anyone has problem then dont vote for us.
pehlay vote daytay ho, phir rola daltay ho?
corruption is a proud thing in my beloved Pakistan.
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Can any dumb tell how much it will cost to just paint few lines on the ground for Heli copter to land. Just making fuss out of nothing. Every where Heli lands on the open ground . If it is small place it is painted on the ground for exact indicators for it to land.
Do some thing just wasting time over non issue.
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Not a Pro-PPP guy, but I think travelling through helicopter would save money that is spent on police securing miles of road.
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And why would one leave PM house every week. This is just another step towards the PPP life and its standards. Why cant they spend this amount of money on other Projects that can benefit individuals and the nation.
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If your life is so dear and near to you. Why do you become Prime Minister????????
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how much money can be spend on a helipad, why this much hue??
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Just a helipad? I was expecting an airport.
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Well done ET!…I hope u know what is helipad and how much it costs!
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@khan:
Why don’t pay YOU from your own pocket then?
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Well done PM Shb, why don’t you provide your wish list to the 1800kk Awam, and we will facilitate through our hard earned money thru brutal tax deductions, SO THAT YOU AND YOUR NEXT 21 GENERATIONS CAN RULE US FOR GOOD
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What a sensible idea.
Cost of construction of one helipad vs. thousands of policeman needed on duty each time the PM moves. It’s quite clear the helipad is the more cost effective solution.
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I dont think it is about money; It wont be costing much may be half a million ruppes at max but sad what priorities our politicians have !!! instead of working hard and serving the nation the new PM wants weekends – can a nation like Pakistan afford such luxurious life style !! anyways having such corrupt and incompetent policticans in the parliament what else did you expect !!
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Helipad or no helipad; RAJA RENTAL does not care about this discussion; He can do whatever he wants; He is RAJA RENTAL – the PM of (corruption) resources rich Pakistan; He needs to hurry to get the helipad; who knows if he can even complete his 6 months time; may be with help of friends of democracy – Aitizaz Ahsen and company …
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Why can’t he work 7-days a week? Paksitan faces such grave problems which needs PM’s full attention not 5-day work week!!
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Nobody is bothered to put lead into him. He is so unimportant, that even during the cabinet meeting aired on TV one could see many a meaningful smile. So why bother with security for him. Recommend
Is he the first Pakistani to spend public money on personal benefits? Or is he going to be the last. He is neither. So there is no point to complain about this avoidable expenditure.
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@DevilHunterX:
He is the Prime minister for God sack, and yes i am paying for it, i pay taxes..
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I dont like PPP but I am all for this idea. Imagine having traffic block, store shut down and people locked in their houses for hours every weekend. Trust me guys and gals the heli is worth it…every weekend he will be traveling …every twice a week his family will travelling it will be a nightmare…ask people living in lahore cantt and defence and they will tell you that these routes are killers….
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Raja Pervez Ashraf well done and most impressive.You collect within few months what Gillani collected within 4.5 years and see who collects more?
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