ISLAMABAD, Aug 17: That heads of state have to live in style is known to all, but few in Pakistan know the privileges that our presidents get after they leave the office — and their dependents after they leave the world.

The Senate was informed on Friday about the pension, medical facilities, allowances and other fringe benefits being drawn by two former presidents, Mr Muhammad Rafiq Tarar and Mr Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari, and the widows of two others, Mr Ghulam Ishaq Khan and Maj-Gen Iskandar Mirza, under the President’s Pension Act 1974.

Begum Nahid Iskander Mirza, widow of the first president of Pakistan, is the oldest beneficiary. She receives an ex-gratia special allowance of Rs35,000 per month.

Mr Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari is not receiving pension as he opted for gratuity in lieu of pension on his retirement. However, the list of other facilities extended to him is pretty long.

His official residence is maintained by the government which pays the rent and the utility bills, with a limit of Rs72,000 per year on the telephone bill.

In addition he has been provided the services of one private secretary in Basic Pay Scale 17/18, one security guard, one cook, one driver and a car allowance of Rs32,000 per month.

Former President Leghari can keep arms of prohibited bores, like AK-47 rifle, and their ammunition, as he has been exempted from the provisions of the Pakistan Arms Ordinance 1965.

He and his wife and dependent children hold diplomatic passports and have free access to government guest houses, rest houses and circuit houses inside Pakistan.

His successor in the presidency, Mr Mohammad Rafiq Tarar, also enjoys all theses facilities but unlike his predecessor he opted for the monthly pension of Rs48,450.

The widow of Mr Ghulam Ishaq Khan is drawing a somewhat reduced monthly pension but enjoys a government-maintained house, a diplomatic passport, free medical facilities at home and abroad, free access to government rest houses and guest houses and the services of a driver along with a Rs16,000 monthly car allowance.