By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan and his family have been moved to the high-security presidential palace in the Pakistani capital four days after he escaped an attempt on his life by a suicide bomber.
Khan, a key leader of the Pakistan People’s Party-led ruling coalition at the centre, had a narrow escape when the suicide bomber blew himself up at Khan’s guesthouse at Wali Bagh in Charsadda in the North West Frontier Province. Four persons, including one of Khan’s bodyguards, were killed in the attack.
The ANP chief and his family moved to the presidency in the heart of Islamabad at the request of President Asif Ali Zardari. The development was confirmed by ANP spokesman Zahid Khan and interior ministry chief Rehman Malik.
In reports submitted to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, security and intelligence agencies had said that Khan was not safe in his hometown and the NWFP capital of Peshawar and should be shifted to some other place, TV channels reported.
The security agencies have asked Khan not to travel to his hometown or the NWFP and to restrict his movements and public meetings.
Once a special security team of commandos and a convoy of bulletproof vehicles is prepared for Khan’s security, he might be shifted to the ministers’ enclave in Islamabad, officials added.