News Analysis |
The Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has decided to live in the chief minister’s annex in Punjab House after he is sworn in as the Prime Minister, senior PTI leader Naeemul Haq said on Wednesday. “Punjab House is in every way an appropriate place for Khan Sahib to live in,” said Haq.
The Prime Minister-in-waiting will stay in the annex for 4-5 days each week, and spend the weekend at his residence in Bani Gala, he added. It was also clarified by Haq that Imran Khan does not want traffic to be stopped because of him, and does not want to create any difficulties for the city’s residents.
A heavy contingent of police will now patrol the roads leading to Bani Gala. Moreover, authorities have installed CCTV cameras on walkthrough gates and started snap-checking of vehicles as part of enhanced security measures.
Imran Khan has always been against the protocols of the ministers and other officials. He often presents the state of Medina as his model-state where the rulers used to remain a part of masses. Imran Khan wants the political elite of Pakistan to be a part of the people they rule.
Read more: Imran Khan: Pakistan’s Jack Kennedy
Imran Khan to live in Ministers’ Enclave
Imran Khan, Prime Minister-in-waiting, has decided to use a house in the Ministers’ Enclave as his official residence, PTI leadership claimed on the 1st August. Imran Khan took this decision after a meeting with security officers at his residence, Bani Gala. Earlier, Mr. Khan had said that he won’t use the Prime Minister House and would ensure to turn the PM house into an educational institution.
In his victory speech, Mr. Khan had said that he and his team will not spend a luxurious life rather they will exhibit simplicity and modesty.
Imran Khan has always been against the protocols of the ministers and other officials. He often presents the state of Medina as his model-state where the rulers used to remain a part of masses.
It should be remembered that in the 2018-19 budget, a heavy sum of Rs 986 million had been allocated for PM House. According to the Capital Development Authority (CDA), it encompasses 800 Kanal of land in which the PM house and residential apartments of the staff are constructed.
Read more: Imran Khan welcomes Bushra Maneka’s daughter in PTI
Interesting Questions
Analysts in Pakistan point out interesting questions. Imran Khan is not the first one who has said not to use the official residence rather in 1997 and 2013 the ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also said the same. But to security challenge, these words could have not been turned into reality.
In 2013, Imran Khan himself said to turn the KPK Governor and Chief Minister House into an educational institution but these could also not happen. Now the most important question is how will PM Imran Khan manage his official tasks? If he prefers to stay in a Ministers’ Enclave where will he hold his official meetings?
Prime Minister-in-waiting, has decided to use a house in the Ministers’ Enclave as his official residence, PTI leadership claimed on the 1st August. Imran Khan took this decision after a meeting with security officers at his residence, Bani Gala.
Imran Khan earlier decided to use his Banigala residence as his official residence but when the security officers told him about the society arrangements and protocol of a Prime Minster he decided to change his mind. Recently, a senior police officer said the residence has become a security risk for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman because he is likely to become the next Prime Minister. Rangers alongside police have been deployed in the hills, at points from which the residence is visible.
Read more: Reham Khan: Imran Khan’s biggest regret?
A heavy contingent of police will now patrol the roads leading to Bani Gala. Moreover, authorities have installed CCTV cameras on walkthrough gates and started snap-checking of vehicles as part of enhanced security measures. This is yet to be understood that where will the PM hold his official meetings and interact with his staff?
Interestingly, a journalist has noted that “in case Imran decides to follow in the footsteps of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi [who used PM house only for his official taks], it will not be without security problems as there only one road leads to his house situated at the hilltop. So if there is any roadblock by the protesters, PM Imran will be stranded there and his staff will have no access to him. Whether maintaining his security as PM at the Ministers’ Enclave will be feasible remains a question.”