ID :
27638
Fri, 10/31/2008 - 09:27
Auther :

Pak Army stops work on new HQ due to financial crisis

Rezaul H. Laskar
Islamabad, Oct 30 (PTI) Pakistan's powerful military has halted work on a new multi-billion rupee headquarters complex in the capital because of the financial crunch being faced by the country.

Nearly 10 percent of work has been completed on the
complex spread over more than 2,400 acres.

The navy and air force have already shifted to the new
site, while the defence ministry, Joint Staff Headquarters and
General Headquarters were to move there later.

A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations
said: "Being cognizant of the financial crunch being faced by
Pakistan, the Chief of Army Staff has decided to suspend
building of the new GHQ at Islamabad. The army shares the
nation's quest for economic stability through a spirit of
sacrifice."

The project, expected to cost about 70 billion to 80
billion rupees, was inaugurated by former President Pervez
Musharraf in September 2004, when he was also the army chief.
Work on the complex began last year.

However, political parties, including the ruling Pakistan
People's Party and opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz
(P.M.L.-N.), have criticised the project and described it as a
waste of scarce resources.

The project is aimed at shifting the General Headquarters
from its current location in the congested garrison city of
Rawalpindi to Islamabad.

Some 870 acres were acquired by the army on the northern
side of the complex for security reasons. The military had
said that no residential or commercial buildings would be
built at the site and a green area would be maintained to
ensure a good environment.

Residential flats, houses, schools and hospitals would be
built for over 17,000 military and defence employees.

Former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had initially
decided to shift the General Headquarters to Islamabad in
1972. The shifting was first discussed after the 1965 war with
India to establish proper communications between the three
services.

However, critics say the relocation of the General
Headquarters to Islamabad would result in the waste of
resources, turn the federal capital into a military cantonment
and put civilians at greater risk.

The Capital Development Authority is reported to have
sold prime land to the military at a throwaway price of Rs 180
a square yard while the market price is Rs 110,000 to Rs
120,000. Pakistan People's Party (P.P.P.) lawmakers had
submitted an adjournment motion against the project in the
Senate or upper house of parliament in 2004.

Pakistan's economic woes have been compounded in recent
weeks by a rapid decline in the value of the rupee against the
US dollar and a sharp fall in foreign exchange reserves. It
urgently needs external financial aid in the next couple of
weeks to avoid a default in payments. PTI RHL

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