Pakistan

Finance Ministry’s advice to PM: No security allowance for civil and armed forces

Demoralisation might prove more expensive in war on terror.

Rauf Klasra December 26, 2010

ISLAMABAD: The finance ministry covertly warned Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to halt the payment of Rs3.6 billion internal security duty (ISD) allowance to personnel of the Pakistan Army and Frontier Constabulary (FC) troops stationed in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, FATA and Balochistan for the remaining period of the fiscal year 2010-11.

The finance ministry officials contended that since an allowance equal to one month’s basic pay had already been sanctioned for the security forces, “the finance division does not support the continuation of Internal Security Allowance during 2010-2011”.

The finance ministry was not ready to make ISD payments in the first quarter of 2010-2011, believing that the national exchequer was low on funds, prove official documents available with The Express Tribune.

This development alarmed top officials in the ministry of defence and FC headquarters in Balochistan, who in a high level meeting with their counterparts in the interior and finance ministries secured the approval for ISD in 2010-2011.

The approval was granted, but only for the first quarter of 2010-2011 for which the finance ministry agreed to pay a total of Rs3.6 billion to the Pakistan Army and FC. finance ministry officials, on being warned that the discontinuation of ISD would not help the war against terror while troops were engaged in fighting various insurgencies in the country, were forced to yield. Once again finance ministry officials have reined back payments for the next quarter as the financial situation is quite ‘tight’.

Earlier, Secretary Defence Lt-Gen Syed Athar Ali had officially requested the interior secretary for similar allowances for FC troops fighting in volatile areas of the country, warning the government that discrimination in the payment of allowances to the FC in comparison to the army has resulted in ‘despondency and demoralization’. The government had subsequently approved the payment of Rs1.5 billion for FC troops in addition to Rs2.5billion for the army on account of ISD. The issue of granting the FC allowances identical to the Pakistan Army was raised by the ministry of interior in its official summary at the latest cabinet meeting.

The ministry of defence had informed the ministry of interior that the Army had restored peace in large areas of K-P and Fata by suppressing the militants and civil armed forces were also engaged in conducting operations, sacrificing their lives for the country, therefore they should be granted identical allowances during operations Rah-e-Rast and Rah-e-Najat, sources said.

FC headquarters had persuaded the ministry of defence to accede to their request stating that since after taking over the charge of the operational areas, FC personnel are fighting along the army, they also qualify for the allowance.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26^th, 2010.

COMMENTS (13)

Klues | 13 years ago | Reply THis happens before creating a civil war in country. This happened in Yugoslavia, you can read their history that armed forces payments were reduced. One of the reason of starting a civil war.

Asif | 13 years ago | Reply My Dears, even developed country forces get allowance when deployed on war duties. But it is a fashion in Pakistan these days to talk against our security forces. Why don't we demand our leaders should pay taxes. Alas there is no Hope!!!

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Disoza | 13 years ago | Reply Rich army generals do not contribute a single penny to the national exchequer. They, coupled with legislators, don't let FBR tax wealth of these riches.

Syed+Nadir+El-Edroos | 13 years ago | Reply Perhaps everyone should pay their taxes?

Danish | 13 years ago | Reply Finance Ministry and the Federal Govt should first cut down their "AYASHIAN", then you can at least talk about this issue, till then peace!!!

hassan | 13 years ago | Reply no one can stop the funds of army alllll fairy tales.

khalid.aziz | 13 years ago | Reply Army has always been getting huge pay rasies as compared to civilians. Each govt servant is paid for his services and choosing one's profession is very personal decision. A poor primary teacher's role is as important as that of a soldier but why its only army personnels who get bigger salaries and benefits. Why Army's morale is linked to financial benefits- aren't they already eating a huge chunk of our resources? Who will take care of morale of civilian employees who dont get plots, cultivatable lands and housing when they retire. Moreover, army got 100% raise in their salaries almost two years ago but poor civilians had to wait too long and that too for just 50% increase. How long civilians will be made to sacrfice?

Khaliq Noor Afridi | 13 years ago | Reply Government should reduce their own Luxurious expenditure. Armed Forces are face to face with the Enemies of Pakistan. They must be supported on any cost and conditions.

Muhamaed Husein | 13 years ago | Reply Yes good idea but first reduce salary of FBR officers and staff Also why is staff and officers of FBR paid 100% of basic salary extra?. are they not government servants? Mr FM first control run away expenses in your own departments ie FBR. Stop paying 100% extra basic salary to FBR officers and staff.

Ahsanullah Mehsud | 13 years ago | Reply A bad habit is creeping in the national institution.

Ahsanullah Mehsud | 13 years ago | Reply They are not the Knights of Middle Ages. ISD makes no sense. Its our regular force. What if tomorrow we are at war with enemy state. Than ?

zee | 13 years ago | Reply i am surprized to hear that what financial advisors are advising the govt..it is the need of time that tps whether from fc or army be paid to as they are fighting a war that is never ending...if any cut has to be placed then it should be placed on the govt officials enjoyment ,,,,as it can be seen every where i n the country

CJ | 13 years ago | Reply I wonder if army & FC in getting ISD allowance, then for what they are getting pay? Isn't their duty to deal with security risks, does the army was paid similar allowance during 65, 71 & kargil war?

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