PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: EXPRESS
Owing to security concerns, police have advised incoming prime minister Nawaz Sharif against taking Punjab House as his residence.
At a party meeting on Wednesday, Nawaz had announced that he would not reside in the Prime Minister house and would reduce his protocol for travelling in order to slash expenses.
However, a senior police officer told The Express Tribune that the security branch wrote a letter to the Capital Police Office expressing fears that Punjab House – located in the Red Zone, along other provincial officials’ houses and the Chief Justice’s residence – was not secure enough for Nawaz’s stay.
“It is too elevated and close to the Margalla Hills from where it can be targeted easily by terrorists,” the letter stated, adding, “Thus, the PM house is the only secure place for him under given circumstances.”
“Moreover, it would also be at greater distance from the Prime Minister Secretariat,” maintained the police officer.
The police recently conducted a survey of the incoming premier’s proposed residence and declared that it was much difficult to maintain security at the Punjab House.
“If Nawaz were to live in the Punjab House, the police would have to deploy more personnel at the site than normally required for a high-level government facility which would be an extra burden on the understaffed police force,” said the police official.
“Besides, the entire area surrounding Punjab House including the road leading to Margalla road down the hill would have to be cordoned off.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 3rd, 2013.
COMMENTS (28)
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Poor Nawaz, the Raiwind house belongs to his mother as per his nomination papers filed at the election commission. The other properties all belong to his wife, daughter, sons etc. Now the Punjab house is unsafe. Where can this helpless man go??
We too are not secure. should we all move to PM House :S
@Ch. Allah Daad: and you are still struck to a baseless point dude. No one forced him to withdraw any perks or privileges, but it was him who claimed that he will.
"Inqalab" is going to start from PM house??? big words small deeds!
so here the drama of our newly elected PM ends :D
what a coincidence.........
@Ch. Allah Daad: oh so he was "suggesting"? Didn't he lived in this country before elctions and knew about security situations before "suggesting" such things? I heard SS was also "suggesting" about not taking Foreign Aid and ending loadshedding in few months? :) KP has the worst law and order situation and yet CM decides to forbid CM fotress to live in his own house.
When is khan shooting down a drone?
@Syed A. Mateen: law environment agencies?
British Prime minister can join a que in super market to buy food for his family and no protocol with him why prime minister in Pakistan need 1200+ police force in his own house ? Must be something wrong if you upset people then only you are frightened other wise Lord almighty is always with you.
@waseem sarwar: He was only suggesting because his intentions for the country are clean, but security not allowing him to do so is not his fault. KPK CM can do whatever he wants in KPK, it his wish. What's the big deal if he wants to convert CM house to a library? Mian sahab will deliver much more to the country.
@Shahryar: As PM of the country, perks and privileges are his right. Why should he give it up?
Stop using the Police as an excuse...Hope this is not the start of things to come in using others to go back on promises you made during election...Iran to blame for Pipleline delays...Chinese to blame Gwadar delays....People to blame for non Tax Collection....Energy Companies to blame for Loadshedding...You are now in charge, now Take charge and lead the change without the Old Excuses that always begins with 'The previous Goverment....'
Sir nation hope securities agencies will advise you to stay at PM House.
Correct me here if I am wrong.. the whole concept of not going to stay in PM house was to defy the additional perks which cost billions of PKRs anually.
If he wants to set an example, why not rent out a house in sector E7 or F5 and live like a civil representative. Not like a dictator..
@Ch. Allah Daad: No one forced him in the first place to claim such things. :) btw did anyone check the CM KP's stance on CM house? it will be a public library soon.
PML N is playing hockey with the nation and clearly teamwork is going on for making this great nation a fool but they will fail. The controversial election 2013 is pushing us to campaign for a transparent election in this country - ELECTRONIC VOTING THROUGH ENGAGING NADRA STAFF INSTEAD OF SCHOOL TEACHERS AND HEADMASTERS. The results of the election 2013 clearly show why this was not done before.
and here goes another promise of cutting expenses going down into the drain just like the six month deadline promise of ending load shedding. last time sharif family used 1200+ security personal. Probably this time it should be 2400+. this is exactly why they say "democracy is the best revenge"
The first reason, to stay in the PM house and not give it up for the sake of saving money.
So now, what is mr nawaz going to do ?
Dear Nawaz Sharif Sb... Please beef up your security. You cannot compromise on this issue...The decisive you would be in your policies (both domestic & foreign) the more is the probability you would be targeted. I have serious concerns on your safety. May Allah bless Pakistan with prosperity under you leadership.
My leader should only live in the PM house. He is Prime Minister of this country and should get the perks & privileges that come with the job.
What a joke. Just another excuse to go back on a statement.
If Mr. Nawaz stands succesful in delivering good gevernance, every issue of this country will be solved from terrorism, energy crises, health care an so on. He better go to PM house and plan and aim some thing high. Where to saty, is a trivial matter.
... and the whole circus of justifications start, ultimately things would be same- PM will live in PM house, will use 70 cars fleet for his safety and so on and so forth
Then make it safe. I don;t get this. Over the last 5 years NS has been living in Pakistan without any problem or issue. Now even Punjab House is unsafe for him. What has changed the mindset?? Better change the SP and DIG of Islamabad who can do a better job.
If Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is not getting security clearance from law environment agencies than he should stay at the Prime Minister House, instead of taking the risk of his life and staying at a place of his own choice.
No more excuses please. Nawaz Shareef must make an example.