G-B CM Mehdi Shah gets fat package

Shah became entitled to lifetime pension and series of miscellaneous privileges through decision passed by G-B cabinet

GILGIT: Former Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) chief minister Mehdi Shah is entitled to privileges which only a sitting chief minister is entitled to, insiders told The Express Tribune on Thursday.

According to insiders, Shah became entitled to a lifetime pension and a series of miscellaneous privileges through a decision passed by the G-B cabinet during the final year of his term as chief minister. However, little was known about the decision, until Shah availed the facilities twice after completing his term in December 2014.

“Shah has made himself entitled to privileges which are equivalent to a sitting chief minister,” an insider told The Express Tribune.  Under the decision, Shah is entitled to receive Rs350,000 as monthly pension and unlimited perks till his death.

According to the new chief minister, Shah’s actions tantamount to corruption. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s G-B president Hafeezur Rahman termed the act an example of the misuse of political power in the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20^th, 2015.