ISLAMABAD:
Premier Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has made a promise to end load-shedding – and he’s one step closer to it.
Within hours of the prime minister taking up his office, according to an official speaking on the condition of anonymity, one house in Islamabad reaped the fruits of this promise: Premier Ashraf’s own personal residence in the capital’s elite F-8 sector.
The newly elected premier now has a special electric line and transformer for his house, graciously provided by the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO). Unfortunately, no one else in the posh locality has access to the line and continue to experience blackouts throughout the day, the official added.
In order to install the line, the Capital Development Authority has also re-carpeted the street where his private residence is located.
A serving bureaucrat, who is a neighbour to the premier, told The Express Tribune that despite the concern of local residents, the street’s green belt has also been turned into a parking lot to accommodate the vehicles of the premier’s guests.
When approached IESCO’s Superintendent Engineer Rasheed Khattak told The Express Tribune that the arrangements were only temporary, in order to cope with an ‘emergency-like situation’. He added that when Prime Minister Ashraf steps down, the facility will be taken back.
Khattak said that the initial proposal was to place a generator outside the premier’s home but the residents of the area resisted, saying it would be a nuisance because of the noise.
Responding to a question as to whether it was IESCO’s policy to provide uninterrupted power supply to not only the premier but his family members as well, Khattak said it was IESCO’s own initiative, emphasising that there was no pressure from any quarter. He insisted that IESCO’s policy is ‘equal for all’.
IESCO officials said that most of the time, the premier’s residence in F-8 was vacant, and that his family members were also not residing in the house. However, the officials had no answer when asked why such a facility was being provided, and why special security arrangements were being made, for an unoccupied house.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 2nd, 2012.
COMMENTS (62)
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O Dear Pakistanis, This is just the beginning and the worst is yet to come. I can see what you can't. Just wait and see what's coming ahead. No matter how hard you try, you won't be able to fight the evil forces around you. They are extremely powerful Revert back to Allah and that's the only way to save your country.The "ONLY" single way.
The expenditure of public resources (money/guards/land/building) by an individual for his/her elective personal use is misuse of public funds.
All citizens are equal. A Police Inspector running a government air-conditioner or vehicle or guards when not working is just as corrupt as a PM doing the same. An office worker who steals office stationery for his children's use or a doctor who pockets government issued antibiotics for the use of his family, or a traffic inspector who flouts red lights is similarly corrupt.
The reason that ministers and high position holders get away with corruption is that most of the country is playing the same short sighted and destructive game - hazb e taufeeq
Ok; so you think that people elected them so that they can do whatever they please and NOTHING FOR THE PEOPLE as they promised before elections. They need these facilities to RUN THE COUNTRY; seriously? So, you think they are running the country. Great thinking man; if the country continue to run with this speed, I hope we'll hit the Moon very soon.
Why you guys ignoring that he is an elected PM who got 211 votes from National Assembly. Please recognize them who voted him & dont forget them and their acts in upcoming elections. this is the only way to come out from this dirty mess.
Nice way to show middle finger to the nation
Until we root out double standards and double faces we cannot bring any betterment in our society. The leaders must set-up an examples, whereas this elite class is sending the nature into more darkness. God bless us!
well he deserved to be treated like that because shaheed bhutto give his life because shaheed benazir gave her life because shanawaz gave his life and murtaza and nusrat bhutto gave her life we should be very happy that the a follower of avove mentioned shaheeds are treating well in pakistan i personally think that every followers of above shaheeds should treat in the same way
Saeen tau saeen, Saeen ka PM bhi saeen
This is blatant misuse of authority and obvious corruption. Yet no questions will be asked in the corrupt parliament of thieves.
Pakistanis please wake up and only vote for people of integrity in the next election. Ministers should only be allowed Suzuki Mehrans and official residences of no more than 1 Kanal.
@Mehboob: Is electricity needed for the private homes of our government officials to run the country? With citizens like you, Pakistan deserves to be where it is right now!
very silly.. there is limit for anything.. At least give respect the post of PM.
@Mehboob
Whoever is the PM, be it a pious man or a corrupt person, needs electricity to run the country. Kindly stop misleading people with these trivial and not-important issues. These are only routine matter for the office holder. Issues like making a helipad at his residence and this one are not the real issues we should be worrying about please!
A PM must lead by example. We have elected these people to "govern" the country and not to "rule" over us like emperors and create privileges and perks for themselves which the general masses are deprived of. Such actions show their apathy and lack of sensitivity towards the problems of the public which has elected them. Don't go far, look at what the newly elected president of Egypt has done. On the first day, he has said he is not going to live in the presidential palace, he will live in the same home he did before, he has resigned from the leadership of his political party saying that henceforth he is the president of the whole country, not just one party. Symbolism matters and these gestures go a long way in giving confidence to the people. If he can't fix the problems, the least the PM can do is not to enhance them.
Oh well, you jealous, small people of Pakistan! He is your Royal Loyal Premier. Learn to respect him. You have nt got much of a choice anyway. Whats the fuss if he is lighting his home and not yours. Afterall, all good deeds start from home. Stay put and wait for the day when he will be able to finish off electrocity problems from this country. One day your turn will come. Stay alive till then.
Here in India, our pm uses his old 800 cc maruti car for private use and I have it in a cordon of 2 official cars for security reason. I believe he deserves a BMW at least for his honesty. Officially, he uses his black or white amabassaor car in Delhi. Internationally, he drives in a Benz. Secondly, loadshedding is a problem and affects young children very very badly, both emotionally and physically. The pak pm solved his problem indeed. Take care
No,No .You should not criticize "elected" PM lest it endangers democracy.
and indeed democracy is the best revenge.
Don't want the world to knw all this,It's indeed very shamfull.May Allah hold Pakistan till the end
Pakistan: The country of the poor, for the rich!
well , he just started it with his house... what's wrong?!! otherwise you guys would say '' OH , the poor guy couldn't even light his own house , then how come he could light other's!! ''
He and Most of the Politicians are special pedigree :).. Got it what I mean??
"Temporary", says the engineer and confidently predicts PM stepping down shortly!
Utterly shameful, compare this with sincere rulers like Abu Bakr who used to have two candles and lit one while doing official work and then put it out to light the other for personal work... The fact is all these cronies are the leftovers of British colonial rule. They love the west and not the people of Pakistan, they care only about what the "Ghora" will think about them and not what the people of Pakistan will think or say.... we need to get rid of them just like the people got rid of the British colonialists.
It is democracy and it is a liberal party . isn't this enough for liberals and democrats?
what is the News. he is a superhuman after all.
Such load shedding in Punjab is unbearable. I request Pakistani politicians to do the accountability of PPP in the coming elections. They should never vote for PPP.
His way is the Pakistan's way...!!
.....and they call it democracy.
Yes, of course sham................e but no matter they don't mind it. GOD bless our country.
Irony!!!
No one should object if our dear Raja Rental, after becoming PM, has got his Gujar Khan house exempted from load-shedding. You must know that our, poor rulers, after occupying seats of authority, enjoy all such facilities, free of cost.
People of gujjar khan should cut off those power lines going to PM's private home.
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than other"
The politicians and establishment's Pakistan is different than the Pakistan of ordinary Pakistanis.
SHAME OF THESE POLITICIANS
Way to go, Mr. PM
Presidency, PM Houses, CM Houses, Governor Houses and all personal houses are exempted from loading shedding with multiple connections from different feeders. Back to back huge generators are installed as a backup. These VIPs couldn’t tolerate even 5 minute break, jobs of many high level to low level officials remain at stack in order to maintain supply. The menace of Load shedding is general public concern!!
OH God, please forgive us, I hate all corrupted leaders
Long live MQM, ANP, PML-Q for supporting him.
So he was right in saying that there will be no load shedding soon. But for whom........ he didn't clarify.
wht if this PM is also sacked in few days? wapda will have to take back the cables. PM could have bought a generator for 100,000 and use it for his home. more appropriate and sober way probably.
I would have taken up the case in the court, but the problem is that the holy cows are also enjoying the same facility. I wish some day people will let loose a bull on these holy cows.
@Ch Allah Daad: @Faisal Naseer: Unfortunately we ourselves select/elect by our votes such these types of leaders related to the apes' planet and then later why do we cry? After electing them we have to afford them for the given time period of have to think many times before electing them.........
This is a lame argument but why would these bureaucrats be motivated to solve the problems of the common man if they don't suffer the same plight. First we heard about a helipad and now a dedicated power line.. That too for an 'empty' house.. Shameful
My business is getting ruined because of these_ politicians. May Allah give them the taste of their own medicines very sooon. And their family have no light and water in 48 degree.
Democracy is the "best" revenge,.. indeed..
Mr. Raja Pervez Ashraf enjoy load shedding free life for few months and push the nation in the darkness because you can't resolve energy crisis on priority basis within few months and in this regard you have shown your hypocritical attitude before the nation by breaching of promises various times when you were federal minister for WAPDA.
Well done you have gained your goal.
@ Faisal Naseer, very well said. Our greatest politician has also migrated from same planet.
Please make sure to make them sit on electric chairs once they step down
@Omer: That is what MQM and PPP are trying by abolishing the dual nationality contention.
Allah save Pakistan from such corrupt politicians who have been ruling the country since last 4 years. Entire PPP is full of corrupt persons.
The smile says it all..
Regardless of corruption and mischief the politicians are involved in. We should really realize that they are our chosen members of government. Whoever is the PM, be it a pious man or a corrupt person, needs electricity to run the country. Kindly stop misleading people with these trivial and not-important issues. These are only routine matter for the office holder. Issues like making a helipad at his residence and this one are not the real issues we should be worrying about please! For your information, I am not his supporter. I am only commenting because I feel these are not THE real problems, nor is this news. These are only news bites, just for the sake of creating news.
How can we expect these thieves to understand what the rest of the country is going through?
Enjoy your short term man, these voters deserve this.
Shame for such PM. Allah bless Pakistan.
Express Tribune...with such painfull news...dont post such smiling pic of PM...it burn even more worse than news itself...
he fulfilled the promise of endinf the lead shedding - atleast in his house..lol
what a shame for the PM..
And so Pakistan's leader takes his first step looting the country. A curse is upon us, where did we go wrong...
sigh ! i am a resident of islamabad . I have no water , no light . and here i am sitting in office reading the privileges being enjoyed by our Politicians ! sigh .
No loadshedding, tax or obligations for the rich. Maybe all the rich in the world should move to Pakistan.
Is it just me or the grin of our esteemed PM remind someone of a character from the original Planet of the Apes.