KARACHI: As the deadline given by the Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, for removal of barriers from roads and streets ended, the home department on Tuesday “requested” the paramilitary force to exempt measures taken for the security of former presidents including the huge concrete walls built along Bilawal House that has blocked Shahrah-i-Saadi track for traffic.

The request was followed by a statement from Sindh IG Ghulam Hyder Jamali who has also categorically said the concrete structure along Bilawal House could not be demolished due to persistent security threats to the facility which was given the status of the president’s camp office from 2008 to 2013 when Asif Ali Zardari was president.

Know more: Citizens told to remove all barriers

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

“The Sindh government has officially requested Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, not to remove security barriers and barricades from the houses of former presidents due to security threats,” confirmed a senior home department official in a brief response to Dawn queries.

He responded affirmatively when asked if the Sindh home department had referred to the security of Bilawal House and residence of former president retired General Pervez Musharraf in Generals Colony, off Zamzama. Earlier, IG Jamali distributed compensation cheques for two million rupees each to 23 heirs of policemen who were killed while performing duties. He also distributed “reward cheques” for total Rs20 million among 44 police officers and policemen of the province who performed “outstandingly” during the past one year.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2015

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