Not going home: Army seeks to retain control of parade ground

[ArsalanKhan21]

... but a flat out Anti-Army mindset will get you nowhere.

Pakistan Army actions are themselves responsible for the anti-army mindset.

 

[New Resolve]

Pakistan Army actions are themselves responsible for the anti-army mindset.

actually the people would rather the army move into parliament lodges and kick out the criminals living there but i suppose as long as they are close by its the next best thing.

 

[black-hawk_101]

ISLAMABAD: The new multipurpose exhibition ground, which hosted the March 23 parade, is still under army control, despite the passage of over two weeks since the event.

While expressing its desire to retain control of the ground near Shakarparian, the army has sought “verbal permission” from city managers to install gates at entry and exit points to secure the area.

A senior CDA official privy to the development said, “The army intends to keep its control of the area, keeping in view the law and order situation in the city.” The official also claimed that the ground would be used to house the 111 Brigade, which is currently stationed in Rawalpindi.

The public ground is already being treated like a restricted area, with members of the public barred from approaching it. To top it off, even staffers from the CDA – which owns the facility and has spent Rs633.87 million to develop it, have been denied access.

“So far, there has been no formal request from the army, but, the installation of gates has been verbally discussed with an army officer in recent days,” confirmed CDA Engineering Member Shahid Sohail.

He, however, vehemently rejected the impression that the CDA had approved any such measure, either verbally or in writing. When asked about delay in handing over possession of the site, Sohail said, “Moving troops from one place to another is a lengthy process.”

To a question, Sohail said, they (army) had discussed the option of installing gates at the site, adding that the CDA could not grant any such permission.

Give an inch, win a yard, lose acres

A CDA board member recalled that in 2007, when the law and order situation was worsening in Islamabad, Rangers were called in to assist the capital police. Rangers were stationed in Pir Sohawa and Saidpur Village.

Soon, Rangers were given permission to set up temporary housing, specifically tents, on a five-acre area.

Today, according to CDA records, Rangers have encroached more than 22 acres and have walled off the area to build fortified concrete structures including barracks and official residences in the area, which is also a no-go-zone for civilians.

Facility developed in violation of master plan

According to the Islamabad Master Plan, the city was supposed to have a dedicated exhibition area near Tarlai Kalan village on Lehtarar Road. But in 1975, an amendment to the original Islamabad Master Plan shifted the site to its current location — south of Shakarparian Park near Faizabad on Islamabad Highway.

The area was marked for hosting trade exhibitions and other public activities.

In 2007, work on the project was initiated during the Pervaiz Musharraf military regime and thousands of trees were felled in the one square-kilometre area to develop the facility. Construction work on the project was awarded to the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) on single-tender basis. The PC-I amount of the project was Rs458.02 million, as approved by the CDWP on November 26, 2007.

In May 2008 the project was shelved, after work worth Rs 385 million had been completed.

In 2015, after a decision was taken to hold the Pakistan Day parade, work on the project resumed on emergency footing. The revised cost for remaining work came out to Rs248.87 million, which was approved by the CDA board in a hurriedly-called meeting at the authority’s headquarters on January 21, 2015.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7th, 2015.

Not going home: Army seeks to retain control of parade ground - The Express Tribune

Nice work by Pakistan Army

 

[TheNoob]

Army should leave the parade ground immediately else in few years there will be a DHA highrise complex on this public land sold at high prices pocketed by the army generals. We already have so few public spaces in the city. Pakistan Army is involved killing its own citizens in KPK and now occupies public land in Islamabad. Don't invite any Pakistan soldier in your home they may also refuse to leave. May be we send Pakistan Army to Yemen and they can stay there !

You sir, have lost your mind.
I suggest you take a immediate trip to Syria and join the ISIS so you can find more peace there.

 

[flameboard]

Pakistan Army actions are themselves responsible for the anti-army mindset.

In part they are this type of politics needs to end. Im saying don't blame the army blame the individuals. If you hate the army so much would you like Pakistan to shut it down? I think I can guess your answer. That's why I saying just hating the entire army will get you nowhere

 

[Zibago]

Army should leave the parade ground immediately else in few years there will be a DHA highrise complex on this public land sold at high prices pocketed by the army generals. We already have so few public spaces in the city. Pakistan Army is involved killing its own citizens in KPK and now occupies public land in Islamabad. Don't invite any Pakistan soldier in your home they may also refuse to leave. May be we send Pakistan Army to Yemen and they can stay there !

Jangal hay ird gird parade ground kay bhai kia baat kartay ho

 

[Drebin]

It's not even a parade ground as per say. Rather a PUBLIC PLACE built for trade exhibitions etc. Occupying it and then, planning to permanently station 111 Brigade -which has historically been the key to Army take over- the omens certainly aren't good. Or at least won't be viewed with any love from public, politicians or media alike. The reputation that our current Generals have tried so hard to rebuilt will be tarnished.

I appeal via the platform of our humble but, patriotic forum is for Army not to do this.

P.S, I suggest that a proper parade ground be built in Karachi with extension of a naval base which won't just alleviate the security concerns as there were in Islamabad but, will also allow for the demonstration of our Naval assets in all their glory and will bring Navy to forefront as well.

Your thoughts and concerns on the matter guys?

 

[ArsalanKhan21]

You sir, have lost your mind. I suggest you take a immediate trip to Syria and join the ISIS so you can find more peace there.

May be you should go first.

Jangal hay ird gird parade ground kay bhai kia baat kartay ho

In part they are this type of politics needs to end. Im saying don't blame the army blame the individuals. If you hate the army so much would you like Pakistan to shut it down? I think I can guess your answer. That's why I saying just hating the entire army will get you nowhere

Pakistan Army's job is to defend the country not get involved in real estate by taking over land and building Defense societies. The country is filled with foreign funded terrorists instead of eliminating terrorism in Pakistan the ISI supports Talibans in Afghanistan. The Army should do the job its hired to do and not take over property and land then build defense societies. If you go to defense society its the civilians who live there not the army personnel since the army has sold the land in the market making huge profits.

 

[halfilhal]

You sir, have lost your mind.
I suggest you take a immediate trip to Syria and join the ISIS so you can find more peace there.

Why should he go to Syria? ISI is right here at home. He should just wait for them to acquire an S and then he can put your suggestion to reality.

 

[Mutakalim]

Army should not be stationed inside the capital. Paramilitary reporting to home ministry should be used instead.

Simple internal controls that Pakistan has failed many times before anyway.

Why the military could not be stationed inside the capital? So in india radar stations and air defence batteries present in delhi are manned by paramilitary forces?

 

[halfilhal]

Why the military could not be stationed inside the capital? So in india radar stations and air defence batteries present in delhi are manned by paramilitary forces?

Indian army is not allergic to civilian rule. It does not harbor lust for absolute power.

 

[Mutakalim]

Indian army is not allergic to civilian rule. It does not harbor lust for absolute power.

This sentence has nothing to do with the question. Try to answer the question, don't post these illogical comments.

 

[halfilhal]

This sentence has nothing to do with the question. Try to answer the question, don't post these illogical comments.

Isme kya illogical hein saaaaaiiiiin!!!!