MUZAFFARABAD: A former Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) president belonging to the People’s Party has been enjoying some additional benefits, which are not admissible under the law, courtesy of his party government, it has been learnt.

The perks and privileges of the former heads of state are determined through legislation.

According to official sources and documents, Raja Zulqarnain Khan, who completed his five-year term in the president office in August 2011, was allowed to retain a Toyota Corolla 2OD Saloon car (MD-GA 460) “in anticipation of amendments to the President’s Pension Act.”

A notification to this effect was clandestinely issued by the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) on October 3, 2011, notwithstanding the fact that the law governing his post-retirement privileges had no such provision.

Amended in 2003, the President’s Pension Act entitles a former president, who has held this office for more than two years, to Rs30,000 per month, three prohibited and six non-prohibited bore weapons without licence, free access to government accommodations in the country, phone at the residence with Rs5,000 per month ceiling for calls.

According to law, he can avail the services of a driver-cum-gunman from the AJK police and a stenographer and orderly for life.

There is no mention in the law of any official vehicle, its fuel or wear and tear.

However, as mere vehicle was not enough, the government, through another S&GAD notification issued on July 6, 2012, also approved the provision of 400 litres of diesel/petrol for that vehicle “until the receipt of recommendations from cabinet’s sub-committee for amendments in the President’s Pension Act and subsequent decision by the cabinet.”

The notification said the approval for provision of fuel costs to Mr Zulqarnain Khan was issued with the concurrence of the finance department - an organisation headed by an officer borrowed from Pakistan who was supposed to arrest extravagance let alone agree to unlawful expenditures.

In December 2012, Mr Zulqarnain Khan submitted a bill of Rs36,500, purported to have been spent on the maintenance of his car. Clearance of the bill was opposed by a majority of officials, who maintained that there was no such provision. However, in yet another unlawful favour, it was reimbursed on March 25, 2014.

In September 2004, the then Muslim Conference government led by Sardar Sikandar Hayat had amended a law on privileges of ministers to provide, for the first time, benefits to former prime ministers without any mention of the period for which they held the office.

These benefits included an official car, driver-cum-gunman, 400 litres fuel, official residence or rent in lieu of that, currently standing at Rs55,000 per month.

Since the amendment benefited the former premiers, the then AJK President retired Maj-Gen Sardar Anwar Khan felt offended and took away an official Toyota Corolla 2OD Saloon car ((MDGA-157) at the end of his term in August 2006. That unlawfully possessed car has not been reclaimed from him despite media reports.

Interestingly, the President’s Pension Act was also amended during Mr Hayat’s rule in 2003. Under the amended law, not only the privileges of former presidents were enhanced but they were also allowed to claim pension even if they held any other public office and drew remunerations against it from state exchequer.

It may be noted that Mr Hayat and Sardar Abdul Qayyum have in turn held both offices for full terms. The incumbent AJK president, Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob, (since 2011) has also held premiership but only for nine months.

At the moment, the S&GAD has provided official cars to six former prime ministers, while one of them is additionally occupying a 3000cc Pajero since July 2011.

Except for Mr Yaqoob, the rest are regularly receiving fuel costs and other perks. Those who have held both offices are claiming dual perks.

When Dawn separately contacted AJK law minister Syed Azhar Hussain Gillani and law secretary Idrees Abbasi on provision of vehicle and fuel to Mr Zulqarnain Khan through notifications, both agreed that no benefits could be provided to president, prime minister or minister without legislation.

They were of the view that the finance department and accountant general’s office could not allocate funds and clear bills, respectively, without requisite legislation.“Without amendment, grant of additional benefits is inappropriate, rather unlawful,” the law minister said.