ISLAMABAD, Sept 5: The construction work of new General Headquarters (GHQ) is starting here at sector E-10 from Monday, a well-placed source told Dawn. President Gen Pervez Musharraf would be the chief guest at the foundation stone laying ceremony.

The source said the GHQ was being shifted to Islamabad from Rawalpindi in view of security of the president. However, army authorities said the plan to shift GHQ to Islamabad had been made several years ago and it had nothing to do with the security of the president.

In view of the establishment of the GHQ, the residential sectors in its vicinity like E-11, E-7 and E-6 have been declared 'sensitive areas', another source said. Some rural areas like Saidpur, Shah Allah Ditta, Kalinger, Mehra Bedi and Margalla Hills have also been declared sensitive and security authorities have started a survey of these areas.

"Under the survey, security authorities are preparing record of concrete and temporary houses and the residents," the source said. The source said troops had been deployed in the sensitive areas and they would remain there on permanent basis.

The GHQ is being established at sector E-10, which had already been acquired by the army for the establishment of its different installations. The sector E-10 is located adjacent to an area given to Pakistan Air Force where Naval Headquarters and National Defence College had been established.

The establishment of GHQ in Islamabad would take at least one year for completion, the source said. A source in the Capital Development Authority (CDA) said the authority had no concern with the designing and construction of the GHQ, as it was being done by the army under the consultancy of National Engineering Services of Pakistan.

"The construction work is being done by the Army alone, as a number of secrets are involved in it," the source said. The plan regarding construction of the GHQ in Islamabad was materialized after two attempts on the life of the President while travelling on the VVIP route in December last.

Various law-enforcement agencies have reportedly suggested the President to shift his residence in Islamabad instead of Rawalpindi because the VVIP route that falls in the populated area of Jhanda Chichi is stated to be vulnerable to any threat to the president.

The source said in view of recent attacks on the President and spate of terrorism, a new security department for the President and Prime Minister was being established.

People of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad were disturbed with the security arrangements of President made at the VVIP route as the traffic on almost all busy and important roads of the twin cities remained suspended for hours.

Long queues of vehicles are seen on different points of Islamabad Highway, including Koral Chowk, Faizabad, Rawal Road, Committee Chowk, Liaquat Bagh and Marrir Chowk during the movement of president and prime minister on the VVIP route.