Barriers outside Bilawal House removed on Zardari's instructions

Published March 31, 2015
Sherry Rehman said PPP is removing barriers in front of Bilawal House, Karachi.- PPI/File
Sherry Rehman said PPP is removing barriers in front of Bilawal House, Karachi.- PPI/File
— DawnNews screengrab
— DawnNews screengrab
A view of the road leading to Sea View from Bilawal Chowrangi after reomval of barricades. — DawnNews screengran
A view of the road leading to Sea View from Bilawal Chowrangi after reomval of barricades. — DawnNews screengran
— DawnNews screengrab
— DawnNews screengrab

KARACHI: Barriers and barricades placed outside Bilawal House were removed on Wednesday following orders given by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari despite security threats.

The road outside Bilawal House, leading from Bilawal Chowrangi towards Sea View, is now open for traffic.

Earlier, PPP Vice-Chairman Sherry Rehman said “necessary directives have been issued to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah in this regard."

“Despite security threats, we are removing the barriers in front of Bilawal House, Karachi, on the directives of Asif Ali Zardari,” she added.

Zardari’s statement comes following an operation launched by Rangers, which is backed by police and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, to remove security barriers and barricades mainly in Karachi’s central district.

The road outside Bilawal House was barricaded and blocked for public use after it was accorded the status of former president Asif Zardari's camp office from 2008 to 2013.

Rangers had “appealed” to Karachi citizens last week to remove barriers from their neighbourhoods within three days, as they were hampering movement and mobility of law enforcement agencies.

Following Rangers' appeal, Sindh government had officially requested Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, not to remove security barriers and barricades from outside Bilawal House in Clifton Block 2 and the Zamzama residence of former president Musharraf in lieu of security threats.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf activists had also entered a fracas with PPP workers over removal of the barriers in December 2013.

Opinion

Editorial

Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...
Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...