ID :
17516
Sat, 08/30/2008 - 12:16
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/17516
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Zardari moves into PM House over security concerns
Rezaul H. Laskar
Islamabad, Aug 29 (PTI) Pakistan's presidential front-runner Asif Ali Zardari has moved into the heavily-guarded Prime Minister's House over security fears in the run-up to the presidential elections set for September six.
The Pakistan People's Party chief, husband of slain former
Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, is facing threats in the wake
of the government banning the Taliban, an umbrella
organisation of militants, on Monday.
With the five-month-old government intensifying military
action against Taliban and al-Qaeda militants, particularly
in tribal regions along the Afghan border, security agencies
apprehend retaliatory strikes.
Zardari, 52, who is the co-chairman of P.P.P., moved from
his plush residence in the heart of Islamabad to the P.M.
House on the advice of his colleagues in the government, the
Dawn newspaper reported. Zardari has been living in the P.M.
House for about a week.
The shifting comes close on the heels of a spate of
suicide bombings, the last in Wah on August 21, 50 kms from
the capital, leaving 78 dead and many wounded. The militants
have threatened more suicide bombings.
"Zardari has been advised to stay in a safe place and
under the cover of official security," said a member of the
federal cabinet.
The P.P.P. presidential candidate had been advised much
earlier to move to the P.M. House but he was reluctant to do
so. However, after a security breach at his residence, the
P.P.P. chief decided to shift, the report said.
Addressing a news conference in Karachi this morning,
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said "there are security
problems associated with his (Zardari's) movement. Because he
can't move anywhere, his normal activities are restricted to
the Prime Minister's House.
"To that extent, it is correct," he said on being asked
about Zardari reportedly shifting to his house. Zardari is
likely to stay in the P.M. House till next week's presidential
election.
The presidential election is expected to be a triangular
contest between Zardari, former Supreme Court Chief Justice
Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui, who was fielded by the P.M.L.-N.
after it broke away from the P.P.P.-led ruling coalition, and
Mushahid Hussain Sayed, the secretary general of pro-Musharraf
P.M.L.-Q.
Saturday is the last day for withdrawing nominations for
the presidential polls.
A day after P.M.L.-N. chief Nawaz Sharif rebuffed
Zardari's plea asking him to withdraw his presidential nominee
and rejoin the government, it was the turn of P.M.L.-Q. to ask
the P.P.P. chief to opt out of the fray in view of reports
raising questions about his mental health.
Sayed also alleged that Zardari had not accounted for USD
60 million in bank accounts that were recently unfrozen by
Swiss authorities, who dropped a money laundering case against
him.
"I feel it would be in the interests of Pakistan,
democracy and the Pakistan People's Party that this office (of
President) remains above controversy and I would humbly
request Zardari that he should withdraw his candidature in
the supreme national interest and in interest of democratic
stability," Sayed told reporters outside Parliament. PTI
Islamabad, Aug 29 (PTI) Pakistan's presidential front-runner Asif Ali Zardari has moved into the heavily-guarded Prime Minister's House over security fears in the run-up to the presidential elections set for September six.
The Pakistan People's Party chief, husband of slain former
Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, is facing threats in the wake
of the government banning the Taliban, an umbrella
organisation of militants, on Monday.
With the five-month-old government intensifying military
action against Taliban and al-Qaeda militants, particularly
in tribal regions along the Afghan border, security agencies
apprehend retaliatory strikes.
Zardari, 52, who is the co-chairman of P.P.P., moved from
his plush residence in the heart of Islamabad to the P.M.
House on the advice of his colleagues in the government, the
Dawn newspaper reported. Zardari has been living in the P.M.
House for about a week.
The shifting comes close on the heels of a spate of
suicide bombings, the last in Wah on August 21, 50 kms from
the capital, leaving 78 dead and many wounded. The militants
have threatened more suicide bombings.
"Zardari has been advised to stay in a safe place and
under the cover of official security," said a member of the
federal cabinet.
The P.P.P. presidential candidate had been advised much
earlier to move to the P.M. House but he was reluctant to do
so. However, after a security breach at his residence, the
P.P.P. chief decided to shift, the report said.
Addressing a news conference in Karachi this morning,
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said "there are security
problems associated with his (Zardari's) movement. Because he
can't move anywhere, his normal activities are restricted to
the Prime Minister's House.
"To that extent, it is correct," he said on being asked
about Zardari reportedly shifting to his house. Zardari is
likely to stay in the P.M. House till next week's presidential
election.
The presidential election is expected to be a triangular
contest between Zardari, former Supreme Court Chief Justice
Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui, who was fielded by the P.M.L.-N.
after it broke away from the P.P.P.-led ruling coalition, and
Mushahid Hussain Sayed, the secretary general of pro-Musharraf
P.M.L.-Q.
Saturday is the last day for withdrawing nominations for
the presidential polls.
A day after P.M.L.-N. chief Nawaz Sharif rebuffed
Zardari's plea asking him to withdraw his presidential nominee
and rejoin the government, it was the turn of P.M.L.-Q. to ask
the P.P.P. chief to opt out of the fray in view of reports
raising questions about his mental health.
Sayed also alleged that Zardari had not accounted for USD
60 million in bank accounts that were recently unfrozen by
Swiss authorities, who dropped a money laundering case against
him.
"I feel it would be in the interests of Pakistan,
democracy and the Pakistan People's Party that this office (of
President) remains above controversy and I would humbly
request Zardari that he should withdraw his candidature in
the supreme national interest and in interest of democratic
stability," Sayed told reporters outside Parliament. PTI
