Imran Khan can't take decisions on behalf of future PMs, says Nafisa Shah

KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Nafisa Shah on Friday explained why she opposes the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s decision to turn Prime Minister House into an educational institution.

Speaking exclusively to ARY News, the PPP leader said that the PM House is official residence and sub-office of the elected premier of the country so Imran Khan, the current PM, has no right to totally wipe out a permanent office of future PMs of Pakistan.

“Imran Khan has a five-year term as PM while prime ministership is a constitutional office and this residence is his sub-office. If they say that they will open it for public for a few days, I can take that but totally wiping out means depriving the capital of a permanent office of country’s premier,” said the PPP leader.

“If a future PM has no (secure) residence, will they spend public money to construct a secure PM house again?,” added Nafisa Shah.

She also termed the planned action illegal on the basis that the residence is in the red zone of the capital.

I am all for universities&colleges but Islamabad a city of 12 lakh people has 20 Universities&100 colleges& each of them needs more resources to improve their quality. #PMHouse is an institution not simply a residence. It’s sad that #PTI is resorting 2such cheap stunts.

— Nafisa Shah (@ShahNafisa) September 13, 2018

The PPP leader clarified that she is not opposing establishment of new universities but the cost of turning PM House into a university and maintaining it will be more than the amount needed to improve condition of existing state universities in the capital.

It is pertinent to note here that Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood on Thursday announced to convert the Prime Minister House into a university.

Addressing a press conference in the capital, the minister announced that PTI government is fulfilling its election pledge by converting the PM House into an educational institute of “top standard”

“Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided that he will not stay in the PM House and governors too will not stay in Governor House to cut down on costs,” he had said.