Pak govt revives plan to shift army headquarters to Islamabad

Islamabad, October 27

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The Pakistan government has revived plans to shift the General Headquarters (GHQ) of the country’s powerful army from Rawalpindi to Islamabad and the military would provide Rs 100 billion for the ambitious project, according to a top defence official.

Briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Defence yesterday, Defence Secretary Lt Gen (retd) Zamirul Hassan said that 2,450 acres of land has been allocated for building a defence complex in Islamabad, the Express Tribune reported.

He also said that for this purpose 5,000 families would be relocated to a different place.

Hassan said the defence complex would be built at a cost of Rs 100 billion and the money would be provided by the army.

The plan to relocate the GHQ had been under study since 1970. However, the plan was shelved around October 2008 to 2009, at the instructions of then army chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, due to financial constraints.

In 2009, six terrorists wearing army uniforms launched a brazen assault on the General Headquarters, sparking a hour-long battle. Pakistani troops repelled the assault. Six soldiers and four terrorists were killed during the fighting.

The powerful army, which enjoys considerable influence over policy decisions in Pakistan, has ruled the country for much of its life since it gained independence 70 years ago. — PTI