Perks and pleasures: Princely budget for presidency, PM secretariat
For all its rhetoric to provide ‘relief’ to the masses, the establishment is in no mood to sacrifice the lavish lifestyles of top government functionaries.
The budget figures presented to the parliament on Friday reveal an exorbitant increase in the money allocated to the president house, the PM secretariat, the National Assembly and the Senate.
The huge complex housing President Asif Ali Zardari at the foothills of Margalla Hills in Islamabad will be maintained at a princely sum of Rs617 million during the fiscal year 2012-2013. The same figure for the outgoing year stood at Rs483 million, showing a considerable increase of 27.8 per cent or Rs134 million.
Allocations for the president house were summed up in just one sentence in an apparent bid to downplay the matter. The stated expenses fell under “staff household and allowances of the president.”
PM secretariat
Just a few yards away from Zardari’s presidency stands another tall building with sprawling lawns and high balconies. This complex is the prime minister’s secretariat. The budget allocated to the premier’s secretariat is Rs702.83 million, up 28% from the Rs546.58 allocated in the previous fiscal year. However, the secretariat ended up spending Rs741 million – far more than the designated sum.
The parliament
In the debate as to with which institution lies real constitutional supremacy – the emerging parliament, the assertive judiciary or the powerful military – the proposed spending plan makes an emphatic suggestion.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 2nd, 2012.
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This news report erroneously creates the impression that Rs. 617 and Rs. 703 millions are spent on Zardari and Gilani individually. Or, is it that these two individuals live more exuberantly than their respective predecessors? To me this government, just like the previous ones, acts more like a suspension bridge where it uses 90 percent of its total strength to support its own weight leaving only 10 percent for the load it carries. Then again it is not about how much this poor nation is spending on maintaining these offices. It is more about what these offices are doing for the people. And if one would to judge this government on the basis of its performance, especially, in terms of economic and social development, foreign relations, safety and security for the people, respect for the law of the land and strengthening of national institutions and education, it is definitely going to score dismally. And bearing in mind its performance this government should not have been in place to begin with. Any money spent on them is a total waste.
Combine all these expenses with the foreign mission expenses from around the world and you shall have a Tsunami of rupees floating about ...Meanwhile the Middle Class is getting beaten to pulp while the poor are getting mangled ....
@Zahid Hussain: I couldn't agree more.
We deserve such rulers, no wonder if PPP + Coalition wins again on the basis of ethnic division.
This is the price of Democracy ++++++++++++++++++++++++
they will still vote for the same Shameless Leaders - the same people will *&^%$ again and again and again - but unfortunately we (Pakistanies) talk a LOT ----- but do nothing at all to stop it. Given the CHANCE - we happily become part of it
We deserve people like these - and others that we CHOOSE. Well Done - Pakistanies - be happy on your choice -
@YP Toronto:
In turn my basic concern is: will our people ever learn ?
Now it should not be difficult to realize why our leaders are always crying for democracy as opposed to any other types of governance. Pakistani democracy brings in wind-fall of wealth, luxury, prosperity, power, supermacy, to all-weather elite Politicians mafia. ... For earning these gains, the masses are utilized for shouting slogans, raising parties standards, grouping faithfully and organising vote casting; and ultimately again crying with dry throats and burning tyres on roads for want of basic needs for life.
Oh poor people of Pakistan - Oh clever politicians !
There is just one question to ask to every Pakistani eligible to vote ..Whom will you vote for in coming election?
Feeling Helpless?? Cursing the rulers inside?? Don't know How to stop this exploitation and misuse of Our very own money??... Same are my feelings whenever I read/hear about these lavish expenses. But Guys don't worry, Formula is simple--- I plead you to Vote and vote wisely in next elections. Pakistan cannot suffer with selfish rulers like these anymore. Its time to make your vote count, and Yes Your One Vote can make a difference. Believe Me..!!
The rulers of this country, past and present combined, have treated this great country as their keep. Therefore all the associated pleasure is thus tainted by illegitimacy.
Will they ever learn.
Got me confused here....Convicted PM says he will leave the PM House (and leave somewhere else !!!) so why does the PM house need a daily budget of according to the latest provisions, the daily expenditure of the Prime Minister Secretariat and PM House is expected to cross Rs1.92 million per day this year.
Another carp from him.........
Where is the "National Human rights commission"
Clearly austerity is a word unknown to our rulers. This is shameful
Making it even more enticing for some---someone who wishes to be installed there by some---you know what I mean?
Reminds me of *i am a barbie girl, in the barbie world *
According to recent survey PPP is again going to win with full force in next elections along with coalition and will make government next time as well and Opposition will be much smaller as some seat will go to PTI in Upper Punjab. The next five years will be a test that Pakistan will survive or not but Our People Deserve that as Our people see Ethnicity and Private interest before going to vote and they should be treated like that and they deserve corrupt leaders.
These perks are for all presidents and PM, not just these two. Can somebody even talk about the perks that the generals have during and after their retirement? No wonder Gen Ayub and Gen Zia's families became billionaires.
Last month, when at an interview, he was asked what's the very first thing he'll do provided he becomes the PM? In reply, he instantly went either destroy all these lavish PM, president and governor houses or turn them into public places or universities. Millions are spent on one man's need when a few other homeless people are dying with no shelter and food.
Seriously guys, vote visely. That man might not know a lot about politics but that is exactly why he is a star.
This is why Pakistan is called "the golden bird" for any leaders and no any leaders are ready to resign voluntarily on his/her own and claim exemption and immunity doesn't matter how many cases are registered against him/her.