Four years on: ‘Bin Laden hideout will likely be turned into playground’

Info minister Ghani says government has long mulled over the property’s fate

ABBOTABAD: On May 2, 2011 during the wee hours of the morning, a rather calm locality of Abbottabad district became the centre of the world’s attention. Militant organisation al Qaeda’s top gun Osama Bin Laden was killed by US Navy Seals in Operation Neptune Spear under direct orders from President Barack Obama.

The mastermind whose outfit claimed responsibility of the deadly 9/11 attack, was found hiding within the confines of a triple-storey building on a 38,000 square foot plot in Bilal Town.

The house that reportedly protected the world’s most wanted man for years was declared off limits and a Danish diplomat was briefly detained with his wife in September 2011 while they were paying a visit to the area.

Following completion of the Abbottabad judicial commission’s investigation, the building was razed to the ground on February 26, 2012.

Four years on, as the dust of arguably the most significant development in the US’s War on Terror seems to settle, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has decided the fate of the compound. Talking to The Express Tribune, Minister for Information Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani said the plot that approximately measures six kanals (32,400 sq ft), will likely be turned into a playground.

“The government has long mulled over the fate of the former hideout,” he said, adding proposals of constructing a girls’ college, a park or a playground were being considered. “Since the area lacks a playground for children, I personally believe it should be turned into one,” he maintained. The minister said a final decision will be announced shortly.

Seizing ownership

Once the plot was cleared of everything associated with the al Qaeda supremo, the provincial revenue department directed the district revenue officer to take over the land.

A notice was issued, inviting claimants of ownership to turn documentary proof in within 15 days. When nobody came forward as the plot’s owner, the government took over the land formally. As the compound was cleared of the rubble, children of the locality assumed it as a safe haven for the game of cricket.

Burying the past

The construction of a girls college on the property has been a long-standing demand of the locals. In an earlier interview, a local, Rehmanullah, said the people of Abbottabad have been humiliated in front of the government and intelligence agencies for hosting Bin Laden in the garrisoned town, adding that this was not the end of their suffering – residents of Bilal Town had to undergo psychological trauma as a result of the post-US raid security measures.

“Our daughters, the future mothers, will disseminate the message of peace and non-violence across the area, if the authorities allow the construction of a girls college on the land where the bitter memories of Bin Laden are buried,” Rehmanullah said.

Today, Bilal Town residents are of a slightly different view; they wish to get rid of the bin Laden branding no matter how it happens.

“Although belated, the decision is laudable and would help us forget bitter memories,” said Mohsin Khan, a resident.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2015.