Move to exempt Bilawal House from removal of security barriers
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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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Comments (115) Closed
Mar 25, 2015 06:40am
Security Concrete barriers should be on bilawal house land not on the road, this in called encroachment
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Mar 25, 2015 07:06am
Why not? These barricades are a hindrance to traffic and normal movement of security personnel and Fire tenders.
Bilawal House should not have special privlages.
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Mar 25, 2015 07:54am
Lies. The Zardari family does not even stay in the house anymore. They spend most of the time in their Bahria Town house in Lahore, UAE and UK residence. What is the point of this hardship when there is no King in the Castle.
Not only that, when I drove through this area. Both lanes of the road are blocked, you have to drive in a Single service lane in the commercial area opposite Bilawal house. Mind you, that's a single lane for traffic going in both directions.
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Mar 25, 2015 08:35am
If Rangers are truly carrying out an unbiased operation then there should be no exceptions otherwise people of Karachi will disown them completely....
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Mar 25, 2015 08:40am
Hasn't he caused enough disruption to this city ?
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Mar 25, 2015 08:49am
How about same number of PakistanRangers guarding Christian,Hindu and Sikh places of worship and settlements.
It more likely that they will be looted or killed
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Mar 25, 2015 08:56am
Barriers around Bilawal House were not built for security reason. They were erected by Mr. Zardari to show his arrogance that he can do anything to the city. These are public streets and must be accessible by general public and area resident.
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Mar 25, 2015 08:58am
Kings live like one and are exempt from all rules that govern common people.
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Mar 25, 2015 09:04am
why cant these security barriers be built inside on Bilawal private property than on public land. Wont it be called "encroachments"?
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Mar 25, 2015 09:10am
WHY ???
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Mar 25, 2015 09:17am
And why is that so???
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Mar 25, 2015 09:28am
Leading by example! Why should I do it if the leaders of this nation wont do it.
Pathetic.
There should be one law for all and no one should be above the law, otherwise this country is not going anywhere
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Mar 25, 2015 09:29am
So it is proved that only mqm strongholds are being targeted. This is end of this so-called "transparent"operation. Is Balawal house is above the law. If things are being done indiscriminately, thn why this discrimination? Senior journalists Mr Nazir Lghari and Mr Mazhar Abbas rightly said the other day tat the operation has lost its direction.Now it seems that efforts are being made to marginalize MQM power in Karachi, however such things will not succeed and would be counter productive.
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Mar 25, 2015 09:32am
Blocking Shahrah-I-Saadi by concrete wall and barriers should not have been allowed in the first place as it is causing great inconvenience to people. One can clearly see in the photo published above the house white boundary wall with metal bars, whatever security measures the residents of Bilawal House feel necessary should be taken by them within the BH boundary walls at their own expense and anyone blocking the roads as shown in the photo should be heavily fined as no one is above the law.
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Mar 25, 2015 09:34am
why exemption? everyone is equal. public security is as important as Bilawal house. LEAs should not give any such exemption at all.
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Mar 25, 2015 09:35am
justice should be served for every one barricades should even be removed from Bilawal house - There is no transperency on our LEA lets see whats happens now.
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Mar 25, 2015 09:37am
Rule of law if not equally implemented for all, will not get implemented at all. MQM will now claim that only they have been targeted. Rangers need to remove barriers from bilawal house as well as Musharraf house if they do not want to be called biased against any political party.
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Mar 25, 2015 09:50am
Let us see how fair the rangers are. The occupied public highways / right of way is the public property. The barriers should be treated as illegal encroachment, thus removal should be mandatory. Security argument is not acceptable. Mr. Zardari had five years to correct the security situation which he missed.
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Mar 25, 2015 09:51am
Lets see the justice.
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Mar 25, 2015 09:51am
So Zardari feels comfortable living in a self-created prison?
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Mar 25, 2015 09:54am
PPP moves request to Rangers to not to remove "Malk ul Mout" ("Angel of Death") proof security arrangements of Bilawal House. Why? Isn't everyone equal? What about all those businesses destroyed and neighborhood ruined over last few years because of these so called security arrangements?
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Mar 25, 2015 09:55am
but why.........
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Mar 25, 2015 09:57am
All are equal under the law - except some are more equal than others.
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Mar 25, 2015 09:59am
Double Standards. What kind of a Law is this? You mean to say that the Lives of the common people don't matter. WHAT A SHAME!
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Mar 25, 2015 10:00am
yes they are far better then is and need protection...sarcastic approach
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Mar 25, 2015 10:06am
Great..double standards.. once again by the Govt.
Wonder if Bilawal House is the only place having security threat?!!? or the lives of other citizens not worthy to be protected.
Public Road is illegally converted to a boundary and barrier for years.. no case..no so called 'Suo moto' of SC.
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Mar 25, 2015 10:20am
I had this coming already. And please let me clear Mr. DG Rangers, its not just about hinderance in conducting operations by LEAs, its also about the freedom of people to chose any street they wish to pass from and this includes many major roads with barriers erected by so called LEAs themselves. Remove them too.
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Mar 25, 2015 10:32am
Bilawal house should be protected, no matter if it may be on the expense of whole nation !!
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Mar 25, 2015 10:37am
They all are untouchable. They are Brahmans...And yet we call ourselves as a Islamic republic of Pakistan.. It is the prime responsibilities of the governments to provide securities to every citizens of Pakistan and not to create barriers Between Infamous and under privilege... Human rights are not a privilege granted by the few, they are a liberty entitled to all, and human rights, by definition, include the rights of all humans, those in the dawn of life, the dusk of life, or the shadows of life.
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Mar 25, 2015 10:54am
If Musharraf doesn't gets one, then why does Bilawal. Even without the barriers, its still a fortress.
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Mar 25, 2015 10:55am
Test case for Rangers" supremacy of law" exists or not lets see.... At least we believe Defense forces are the only institution which has the prestige and honor.Will the stand by their words?
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Mar 25, 2015 10:59am
"WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOR." If these words have any practical and legislative use, then breakdown the walls and barricades protecting Bilawal House.
If the COAS and the DG Rangers mean what they say then break down all self-constructed security blockages. Why do we have police commandos and Rangers in Karachi? To protect Karachi from violence, terrorists, and common thieves. But over here, they are present in large numbers protecting a man with a bad reputation.
Why has life been made so miserable and difficult for Clifton, blocks 2 and 3 citizens? Justify it, please!!! There are policemen, mobiles, and Special Security Units protecting Zardari. The SSU and police should be enough to protect Bilawal House without making life difficult for the neighborhoods. Salams
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Mar 25, 2015 11:02am
Law should be equal for everyone.
Bilawal House barriers should be removed.
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Mar 25, 2015 11:03am
Demonish everything till Bilawal house's original property limit. The rest belongs to the people.
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Mar 25, 2015 11:05am
Bilawal House needs no security because Bilawal is not living in it since long. Alternately, Sindh government should provide the concrete wall inward within the Bilawal House premises, without curtailing public roads.
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Mar 25, 2015 11:05am
So this operation is not for Zardari! Call it off then!
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Mar 25, 2015 11:08am
People of Karachi are fed up with these barriers; they need to go! Enough of Waderism!
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Mar 25, 2015 11:11am
Vote of no confidence in the LEA, they can not provide security even to the elite. Where is the ordinary voter and his concerns, is any one bothered.
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Mar 25, 2015 11:15am
It has to be removed, you should be a shame of your self before righting this letter, Rangers are doing a good job and we appreciated if this letter is not entertained. People are facing difficulties in the same area. and we do not want any no go areas is Pakistan.
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Mar 25, 2015 11:15am
Let's see if the Rangers have the guts to remove these barriers. Or the barriers/roadblocks outside the ANF offices in Clifton, Coastguard office at Lakson Square, etc.
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Mar 25, 2015 11:16am
Rangers themselves must take responsibility of providing security and remove all barricades. There must be no discrimination in implementation of this decision.
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Mar 25, 2015 11:16am
@Em Moosa : Lets see how rangers are correcting things across the board. Encroachment in the name of Security for those who are responsible for law and order in Karachi, is totally unexpected by people of Karachi and Pakistan. When Mr. Musharraf is not spared then who are others?
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Mar 25, 2015 11:19am
But you cannot wall yourself against death.
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Mar 25, 2015 11:20am
it should be fair treatment with every party here. i am no worker of any party but want to see equal treatment with every one.
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Mar 25, 2015 11:29am
Why this double policy? And then our leaders claim they are Champions of Democracy!
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Mar 25, 2015 11:38am
This is a test case for DG Rangers. Let's see if he can practice what he is preaching.
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Mar 25, 2015 11:38am
Thr security walls should be restricted within the premises of the VIP's. Why encroach the public property ???
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Mar 25, 2015 11:38am
They already have enough security. security threat is just an excuse to hog land!
If Bilawal house barriers are not removed, no other barriers shoul be remover, which the civilians have setup for their own security as the state has failed to provide even basic security.
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Mar 25, 2015 11:39am
How about they only put them there when he IS THERE. Is in Dubai most of the time anyways.
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Mar 25, 2015 11:43am
This is not justice and this is not equality. In fact this will disappoint every law abiding Pakistani and will make them feel inferior to the politicians.
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Mar 25, 2015 11:45am
Law should be equal. If they need extra security then they should deploy few more police officer in the area.
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Mar 25, 2015 11:55am
Then the Rangers do not have a legal and moral right to remove the street barriers erected by the ordinary citizens for their own safety when the multiple security agencies have failed to provide them against the robberies.
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Mar 25, 2015 12:02pm
The security arrangements around Bilawal House are actually worse form of permanent encroachment. If Bilawal House is given exemption then others will definitely follow. This is like making a mockery of the system and of justice.
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Mar 25, 2015 12:09pm
y not? zardari and bilawal hardly live there. the walls and barricades are a headache for people who drive that side .
rangers please remove it. these nincompoops r just trying be more loyal then king.
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Mar 25, 2015 12:12pm
Mr. Zardari can make a steel wall within his premises; why create inconvenience for the common man? this is against the basic principle of Bhutto PPP to serve the general public. If not removed, this will have political fall back.
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Mar 25, 2015 12:16pm
We as common Pakistani condemn such statement by the Govt or the police. All barriers should be removed from bilawal house on immediate basis and justice should prevail on equal level. Yesterday all barriers have been removed from Musharaf place therefore there shouldn't be any sort of excuse now. If not removed then Rangers will be considered weak and focused to act only on the weak.
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Mar 25, 2015 12:17pm
All should be removed from the area . This is public neusence . Ask people living around Bilawal house . Either it's commercial or private people are fed up .
I request to the authorities all walls which where erected in the past by Sindh Governament funds should be removed and made the both sides available to general public to commute as normal Human beings .
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Mar 25, 2015 12:40pm
There should be no discrimination please.
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Mar 25, 2015 12:44pm
This shows the credibility of this election. It is absolutely clear as crystal that this operation was to malign the image of a particular political party just before the general election.
Sorry to break the news but this propaganda againt a particular political party has failed miserably.
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Mar 25, 2015 12:46pm
NO body should be exempted from Law.
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Mar 25, 2015 12:49pm
There should be no exception law must be implemented for all in true spirit. Moreover it is the masses who are facing security threats daily on the streets of Karachi in the form of mobile and other valuable snatching at the cost of public taxes.
Law must be same for all.
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Mar 25, 2015 12:54pm
Zardari may erect 100 foot tall boundary walls and I will have no issues BUT nobody should be allowed to take public roads inside their houses. This is simply land grabbing and walls should be bulldozed.
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Mar 25, 2015 12:56pm
Here you go !
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Mar 25, 2015 01:10pm
As an impartial onlooker, now it seems there is something wrong somewhere. MQM is the nexus of all evils- fine , but what about others. The rest are all saints.
There were strong expectations about the Ozair Baloch, Ayan Ali episode to be made public. But there seems to be deafening silence on all other fronts. Timing is very important- silent majority is watching. The economic terrorists who have bled the nation white like Saint Nawaz, Saint Zardari and many others are still having photo sessions on electronic media. Selective justice is no justice - it is expediency in its purest form. For once let us see something taking place in the nation of the pure across the board. Let there be no children of a lesser god.
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Mar 25, 2015 01:13pm
If the ex president is still under security threat, then what in the world is the security apparatus been working on for the past two years? And if security threats persist then why is the general public being made defenseless in the wake of the present situation. Is one person or a small group of people considered more valuable for the government than the public at large? If so then the government has already failed miserably and needs to be immediately deposed to make way for a more competent government.
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Mar 25, 2015 01:16pm
@Pakistani VIP encroachment
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Mar 25, 2015 01:30pm
Should be removed, there should be no exemption for anyone all Pakistanies should be treated equally.
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Mar 25, 2015 01:35pm
@Pakistani Agreed !!!!
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Mar 25, 2015 01:38pm
I think Bilawal House is in Karachi and the orders were to remove all abrriers in Karachi. No exemption should be given to Bilawal House.
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Mar 25, 2015 01:44pm
Bilawal is future of Pakistan and should be treated above all common people.
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Mar 25, 2015 01:46pm
This is land grabbing and promoting VVIP culture, plain and simple, done in the name of security.
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Mar 25, 2015 02:04pm
Rangers show that rule of law to be upheld at all cost,otherwise people will term you biased.Remove the encroachments at all cost.Don't accept request and pressure.Do your job
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Mar 25, 2015 02:09pm
Those vips who feel insecure in the city can shift to malir Cantt. here they will get enough security.They will live in comfort so will citizens.
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Mar 25, 2015 02:16pm
Any kind of discrimination will exploit this productive and positive move of Pakistan Ranger.
Implement the system of SHOW OF CNIC
its workable in Lahore Cantt Area and Military Police Scanning without any discrimination of Vehicles's CC. (Bari Gari Chor do Choti Pakar lo of Sindh mei ye hota hai)
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Mar 25, 2015 02:16pm
@Lashkari Yes it is, because the road is blocked and this is not a Zardari personal property, this road belong to the people of this country as well as government of Pakistan. We have say the truth and discard the wrongs.
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Mar 25, 2015 02:24pm
NO exemption should be given! Have second boundary wall built within their premises .. cannot grab double road and service lanes on the pretext of security.
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Mar 25, 2015 02:30pm
Provide security to all past present dignitaries inside Karachi Central Jail. Otherwise remove all barriers where they are or for whoever they are. Let's for once these kings be exposed to risk so that they have a need to make Karachi weapons free.
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Mar 25, 2015 03:08pm
Bilawal House walls may be thickened twice or thrice from inside, raised to 30 or 60 feet, that is ok. But big NO if the concrete barriers are on the road, causing great inconvenience to people of Karachi. This is not acceptable.
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Mar 25, 2015 03:16pm
Barrier from ex-president mushrraf has been removed while the barrier from ex-president zardari has been retained - what a justice of law in pakistan
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Mar 25, 2015 03:38pm
This is the big problem & class difference in our country, when we are talking to kill or eliminate militants from politics & other groups, then we have to operate in a same manner for all classes, not for a particular group as we have seen in 1992 operation
Other wise, it is useless and another drama
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Mar 25, 2015 03:42pm
Its interesting to see how conveniently people are ignoring Musharraf's security and privileges. If Bilawal House's security whose lady was killed due to lack of security is not that important than definitely there is no need for Musharraf's security too. I wonder why our common people have such a biased approach.
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Mar 25, 2015 03:48pm
Not acceptable. We want fair trial for everyone. We are happy to see MQM weakening....same should go with PPP....Enough is enough!!!
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Mar 25, 2015 04:00pm
Definitely encroachment of Public Land (Road)
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Mar 25, 2015 04:09pm
Should be Removed
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Mar 25, 2015 04:12pm
And what is federal govt,s stance on it? Raiwind also have same condition.
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Mar 25, 2015 04:21pm
Why not? Very illogical argue von IG Police.
Law is same for all and should be same.
Please remove all such barriers.
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Mar 25, 2015 04:50pm
So Pakistan Rangers....its your call....the ball is in your court. Can you make people trust you or you will remain at the beck and call of the shameless and corrupt. Remember all will be out on the day of Judgement when the Almighty will ask and all will have to answer for their actions.
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Mar 25, 2015 04:55pm
@Pakistani Encroachment ? But who cares for such things when it comes to VVIPs ? They may encroach not just one road but the entire locality because they are considered as elite.
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Mar 25, 2015 05:02pm
In fact the campaign should be kicked-off by demolishing the Bilawal House barriers !
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Mar 25, 2015 05:18pm
No one is above the law, every one in Pakistan has a life threat . Should we built walls in whole city?
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Mar 25, 2015 05:50pm
Say no to VIP culture. Bilawal is anyway seldom there.
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Mar 25, 2015 05:51pm
He distributed checques to the poors, what??
Is he holding any charity organization, if NOT, then and if he its Government money then there should be some accountability.
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Mar 25, 2015 06:17pm
Crucial for rangers/army to prove themselves to be unbiased by making sure that Bilawal House barriers are also removed!
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Mar 25, 2015 06:35pm
All are equal before the law, some should not be more equal than others. All illegal barriers in Punjab should also come down. After, they shot young girls in the face to remove barriers in Model Town.
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Mar 25, 2015 06:37pm
Assan to ja na Billo te ghar.
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Mar 25, 2015 06:39pm
Soon we will know how courageous, impartial Rangers are.
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Mar 25, 2015 06:52pm
I just hope that the head of Pakistan Rangers Sindh reads all of these comments posted below and does the right thing
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Mar 25, 2015 06:53pm
One law for the common hardworking honest man and one law for the corrupt present and former rulers. It is now or total choas and bloodbath later. Test is whether the Rangers and the forces blink. People are just fed up and they are looking for a change.
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Mar 25, 2015 06:58pm
@Hassan
The Pakistani flag fluttering on top of Bilawal house has to come down. Even if the ex-President is in the house he is not entitled to have a flag hoisted over his residence.
There days in power is over.
Musharraf Zindabad!
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Mar 25, 2015 07:31pm
If Mr. Bilawal Zardari is allowed to keep concrete walls for security, why aren't I & other Karachiites? Law should be one & same for everyone. #NotoVIPCulture
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Mar 25, 2015 07:48pm
any one from Karachi, already knows how high the walls are of Bilawal House with guard towers in each corner (like prison) and yet they illegally took over the adjacent road which is a public property. Is Bilalwal house where Bilawal or Zardari hardy even live more important than ordinary Pakistani? Are their lives more important than others? same goes for Pervaiz Musharraf. It is time Rangers need to demolish these barricades.
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Mar 25, 2015 08:01pm
Why should anyone be exempted ?The bodies and and souls of all human beings are equal.what are they afraid of?
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Mar 25, 2015 08:24pm
No one should be above the law, break the barriers everywhere on public property.
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Mar 25, 2015 08:59pm
My Brave Rangers
It is time to show that you are not biase and you are sincere in your efforts to bring peace in my beloved city and country. Show the NATION you are not influenced by the CORRUPT POLITICIANS. All my sincere prayers are with you. May GOD succeed you in your objective (Ameen).
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Mar 25, 2015 09:34pm
Rangers are doing a good job, exempting bilawal house will cast a shadow on its unbiased stand.
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Mar 25, 2015 10:41pm
VIP culture at its best.
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Mar 25, 2015 11:37pm
Barricades around private homes are signs of arrogance. Zardari has enough money to hire his security where he does not have to inconvenience the general public. We all live and survive at our own risk without creating any hassle for others. Why should there be an exception for Asaf or Bilawal Zardari.
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Mar 26, 2015 12:00am
People of Karachi should boycott. No barriers should be removed until the barriers on Bilawal house are removed!
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Mar 26, 2015 12:50am
Mr. Zardari is not bigger than law.
He can easily build a 10 foot thick & 20 feet high wall around his house, on his own land.
Has enough space & money.
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Mar 26, 2015 03:05am
Ask Riaz Malick to build another bomb proof castle for the Royals of Garhi- Khudabakhash. Why make life of ordinary citizens of Karachi miserable.
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Mar 26, 2015 03:29am
Why should this or any other house be exempt? and you cry why parties like MQM come to existence? shame on sind and federel government
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Mar 26, 2015 03:56am
The new law should read " Citizens shall remove all the barriers from public streets ". No if, but and exception.
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Mar 26, 2015 04:27am
If Bilawal house has security concerns,same is the case with musharraf.Why were barricades removed from his residency?
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Mar 26, 2015 08:19am
Sorry, no exemption to anybody.Remove any encroachment as soon as possible.No discrimination .If not remove immediately than. You will exempt others too
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Mar 27, 2015 06:32am
If White House can have security measures within its premises and not on public property, why not Bilawal House. Public property should be accessible to public.
An act of encroachment should be acted upon as per law. Its time that we the public enforce the law if not the government. Enough is enough.
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