Again, Desperate Times

SameerJB: You have presented an accurate view of the financial situation of the military officers. There is a sharp difference between the living standards of those who joined in the 50s, 60s and 70s (like Musharraf), and those who joined in the 80s and 90s. No doubt the people who are generals now, lived the good life throughout their careers, and are quite well off now. They were paid well, promoted quickly, went overseas, got a lot of plots etc.

Even now, the military looks after its generals quite well, in and out of the military. This is the side of the military that I disliked the most. The current Air Marshalls, Generals, Admirals were well off in their junior military days, are looked after well when they are generals, and usually end up even better-off when they retire. They use up a disproportionately high percentage of the welfare resources of the military officers. The maintenance budget of a single general`s military house on a base is comparable to the maintenance budget of all the bachelor`s quarters combined. So while the very senior officers live in mansions, the rest of the officers are lucky if they can get anything closely resembling a house. The military accomodation of the Pakistani generals is better than the military accomodation of US generals. However, only a very small percentage of people become generals. The total strength of the PAF is around 40000 +- 5000. There are only around 22 generals.

Right now a non-independently wealthy retired non-general has one thing that can save him, i.e. lucky enough to get a plot in some sort of a Defence society. These opportunities although getting more and more scarce, are still avialable. Usually by the time, one reaches the rank of a colonel, an officer is able to get a plot, even now, through monthly investments. Since the military housing societies have a good reputation, the price of these plots go way up when they are developed, as you mentioned. If the retired officers did not have this, they would end up as paupers. However, I do not think military officers are given plots in Islamabad city, anymore. They are only eligible for plots in military housing societies, which are usually on the outskirts of major cities.

Zeemax, your remark about procurement seems quite accurate. Even though I do not have any proof, I do think that certian sections of the military, below the rank of generals, do have an opportunity to be corrupt. These include supply, ordinance, ranger units on the border, pilots and sailors that are in units that go overseas to bring in military hardware (C-130 crews etc) etc. However, these do not constitute a majority of the military. They are perhaps 5% of the total force. On the whole, the average officer (not counting the officers in the areas directly related to buying and selling, like procurement) doesn`t really have the opportunity to be corrupt, until he reaches the general ranks.

Reply #: 555 Umairr

[corruption opportunities in the military, do not really start until one reaches the general ranks]

I beg to differ. Corruption opportunities exist at all levels in the military procurement wing. I personally know of instances where majors routinely ask for invoices of much more than the worth of the merchandise ..

Bahmad # 553 and 554

Dear Bilal Ahmad:

I agree with your comments regarding Dr. Mubashir Hasan`s article and devolution. I very much agree when you say

``Dr. Mubashir Hasan is serious about the issue of devolution. I am not sure if he fully understands the implications of this project. He is both experienced and knowledgeable.``

It is not surprising that most Pakistani politicians and ruling elites become much honest and saner once they have no vested interests left, after retirement. Dr. Mubashir Hasan was once very serious about ill-concieved nationalisation whose consequences we are still bearing.

I see that Umairr has just respond to your inquiry about the salaries of lower ranking officers in detail. At present, a major makes about 10K rupees per month and a colonel`s salary must be less than 20K. A major`s salary is about the salary of section officer in the government. The people with marriage-age daughters these days prefer section officer son-in-law over a major. One of the reason being the every two year transfer in the case of a major. They spent years moving from place to place, from Kohat to Pano Aqil to Multan, to Lahore and once to hard areas like Gilgit, Siachin etc. On the other side a section officer is residing in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore etc. for most of his career. The chances of a section officer`s promotion to deputy secretary are about the same as a major`s to lieutenant colonel. A best comparison in my opinion is between a civilian and a military MBBS degree holder doctors. In most cases a civilian doctor is financially much more successful than a military doctor of the rank of a major and moving station to station like other majors.

The financial assets of a retired military as well as civilian officer vary from person to person. Let`s exclude the inherited assets for discussion here. The city of Islamabad has several thousand houses worth, on the average, a crore rupees each. Most of these houses belong to former civilian officers, small businessmen, retired military officers, expatriates and professionals. The price really reflects the expensive real estate than the buildings themselves( notice feudals are generally absent in this list. They usually have much bigger and beautiful houses in their hometown where real estate is much cheaper. Thus a big and beautiful house in Badin or Lala Musa may not be worth as much as Islamabad Houses which can be rightly compared with Karachi and Lahore DHA schemes. I am not sure which class is most represented, at present, in those DHA scemes). Most of the real estate in Islamabad was distributed through employees societies at dirt-cheap prices in the seventies. Those who made the wise decision to invest 10-20K rupees then, are ``crore patis`` at least in solid assets, including PM`s late father. The prices of real estate in Islamabad sky rocketed during Karachi`s termoil during BB government, because many rich Karachiites decided to move to the safety of Islamabad(just like money from Russia has sky rocketed the property values in Tel Aviv). Same is true about retired military officers who invested in the military housing schemes 20 years ago in most major cities. I am not sure how much down payment is necessary to own three franchises in the US. It must vary greatly from place to place. Assuming 150K per franchise; 450K for 3 franchises which is equal to a crore rupees is equal to a house in Karachi, Lahore or Islamabad. BTW, Pervez Musharaf`s reported 16 crore worth real estate will buy several franchises.

I am not trying to defend the person you mentioned or suggesting the absense of corruption but making a point that despite all the crisis in Pakistan, a 1-2% or maybe 3% are doing well and possibly could bring enough cash to US to become a small businessman.

Here is another interesting information about Afghan refugees in Islamabad. They prefer to buy property in a sector called G-8 which is now mostly owned by Afghan refugees. One can not believe that they are refugees from a country which is in constant termoil and one of the poorest country of the world. Their women go shopping to most expensive markets in Islamabad and spend extensively on jewelleries and other luxuries items. These people are generally more religious than average Islamabadi and passionately support Islamic causes back in Afghanistan.

There are few who are rich for a variety of reasons while most other retirees are barely surviving. There is a lot of hopelessness feeling among the current military as well as civilian officers when they talk about their future and post-retirement life because their salaries and savings are not compatable with the inflationary prices of buying solid assets.

Regards,

Sameer

bahmad: I do not think it is possible for a recently retired colonel to buy a fast food restaraunt anywhere (much less America), from the money he made in the army. The few ways he could do so was if he joined the army around the late 60s early 70s, and had a chance to spend a few years in places like Saudia Arabia, Dubai etc. The other way for him to do so would be if he were independently wealthy, or had a successful side business while he was in the army, or had an opportunity to be corrupt (corruption opportunities in the military, do not really start until one reaches the general ranks). If you have found one in America who has fast food restaraunts, then he must fall into one of the above categories. However on the whole, retired colonels nowadays, with no other source of income accept their military salary and pension, have a low standard of living.

When I explained the living standards of the military personnel, I was talking about the salary and benefits offered by the military, without taking into account the extra income the person may be making from other sources. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of retired colonels. A few of them are obviously quite rich, but most are not; at least not the ones who have retired recently. The salary I made as a Captain was around 6,000 thousand ruppees/month. Counting all the benifits (marriage allowance etc.), it was around 8,000. I received free medical for myself and my family. I was supposed to always have a two bedroom apartment at discounted rent, but only got it on one assignment (that is about the only major benefits/perks I can think of). Three times a year I received one domestic ticket on PIA for half price. Apart from that, I paid for everything including electricity, food etc. at normal group rates (which are slightly discounted from single rates). Certain speciality groups like pilots, SSG get additional allowances (around 10% to 40% of their base pay = Rs 1000 to Rs 3000 extra), because their jobs are quite dangerous, even in peacetime. Most of my friends, with equivalent qualifications, and less experience in the private sector were making around Rs 20,000 to 25,000 with better benefits. My friends who were pilots in PIA were making around Rs. 55,000, with much much better benefits. You can probably add between 5 to 12,000 to a Captain`s salary and benefits for a colonel. The colonels usually had a lower standard of living than the Captains, because of school going kids etc.

If you want to find out the living standard of the military, please go and check how they live. The odd wealthy retired colonel you have mentioned, was either independently wealthy, corrupt, or was able to have a succesful side business going while in the army, or fell into the very small category of officers who even nowadays were lucky enough to go on deputation to the middle-east oil rich militaries (where they can make over 1 lakh ruppees a month).

In response to Sameer (Reply #: 551)

Dear Sameer:

Thank you for your critique of Dr. Mubashir Hasan`s piece.

I am not sure if I could make a good comparison between General Musharraf and other previous regimes. I, however, do see some commonality between the present and the last regimes. Both appear intensely sympathetic to the agenda and policies of the IMF, the World Bank, and similar organizations. It seems that Musharraf has been assured by the economic technocrats that this is the only possible course to get out of the current economic crisis. I wonder if this is the only short-term solution.

Technocrats at the World Bank support the notions of good governance and devolution. No World Bank study, to the best of my knowledge, has dealt with the issue of devolution in the context of Pakistan. This issue, however, is not as simple as our present ruling elite seem to believe.

Omar Asghar Khan, son of retired Air Marshall Asghar Khan, is responsible for a plan of devolution. He holds several portfolios. This very fact raises doubts about the seriousness of the present regime on this important and potentially conflict-prone issue. Sardar Mengal has already shown his opposition to the District idea. Just after his opposition, it was announced that devolution would entail both regional (provincial) and local (district) levels (perhaps this was the original intent).

Dr. Mubashir Hasan is serious about the issue of devolution. I am not sure if he fully understands the implications of this project. He is both experienced and knowledgeable.

I have previously stressed the need for the formation of an independent Commission for devolution in Pakistan. This Commission should support a critical discourse on devolution. Internet and other avenues may be used: (1) to inform the public about the objectives and plans of devolution; (2) to encourage open debate; and (3) to revise the plans in light of the public input. The final draft of the devolution plan should pass through a political process and implemented in stages.

There is nothing wrong with a three-tiered devolution plan, though such a plan should be based on the past and present history and realities. One major question in this respect would be: Should there be four or more autonomous provinces. Any plan that would seek to disturb the present provincial set up would generate a lot of conflict. One option would be to maintain the four existing provinces, but subdivide each of them into several planning and development regions, each consisting of several districts, under the umbrella of the existing provinces.

In view of the geography of Pakistan, your comment on the location of proposed high courts seems valid. Rather than having a high court in each district, we may have one or more high courts in each planning and development unit based upon a trade-off between the notions of efficiency (threshold) and effectiveness (geographical distance).

Your have also raised the question of dominance, i.e. the local and regional bourgeoisie (like the Sardars in Baluchistan) would dominate the devolved political units. This is a good point. It seems inevitable. But, after the implementation of the devolution plan: (1) the local/regional elite will not be able to blame the center for every problem; and (2) they will be obliged to legitimize themselves. I, however, do not share Dr. Mubashir Hasan`s optimism that devolution would ``ensure the election of honest, God-fearing and competent people who really want to serve the people.`` Honesty, fear of God, and competence cannot be ensured even at the neighborhood level. In the short run, the net result would be uneven.

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

In response to Umairr (Reply # 552)

Dear Umair:

Could you given me some idea of the honest monthly earnings of officers less than post of Bridadiers. Can a retired Pakistani Colonel purchase three fast food franchises in the US (when he claims to have made a very good standard of living in Pakistan and has just come to the US)? I suspect, there are many more ex-army people like him in the US. It is just a matter of finding out.

Sincerly, Bilal Ahmad

Zeemax: ``Yes I know several disgruntled officers between the ranks of captain and colonel. In fact the most disgruntled of all are the majors. Brigadier above are the happiest.`` I agree. Major and Colonels are probably in the worst economic situation. Captains and below are either bachelors or newlyweds, with small families, and are generally quite motivated. Brigadiers nowadays, although not wealthy, are at least looked after well by the military, in terms of the perks you mentioned. Major and Colonels have family expenses like the Brigadiers, however have few perks, unless they are in a C.O position. Also, when Brigadiers and above retire, they can get a position in semi-govt. agencies, like Fauji Foundation or Shaheen Foundation, or in the civilian beaurecracy. If Captains and below retire, they are young enough to start new careers. They also do not have too many familiy expenses. However, Majors and Colonels fall into neither of the above categories. If they retire, they are on their own, and most of them don`t have too many marketable skills. Usually, they get employed by one of their retired coursemates or retired military friends who are independently wealthy, or have done well after retirement (a small category).

BAHMAD # 953

Dear Bilal Ahmad:

Here are few of my comments regarding Dr. Mubashar Hasan`s article.

(DEVOLUATION features prominently in the seven-point agenda of the chief executive.)

Tha agendas, platforms and manifestoes of the previous governments were no less impressive. What makes PM diffrent? Absolutely nothing, he has already provided sufficient evidence for a haphazard form of governance.

(Now the question is whether the leadership is in a position to enforce its will on the mighty forces which want to maintain the status quo.)

The present set-up does not have the skills to run the country on their own and already relying much more heavily on the federal bureaucracy (ruling elites). There is no chance in the near future for the set-up to go against the people they are in bed with.

(This can be ensured by granting them complete political, administrative and financial autonomy in respect of the subjects which fall within their jurisdictions.)

The local or district councils will be completely dominated by the feudals in the rural districts of Punjab and Sindh, by mullahs in the rural districts of Pashtun speaking areas and Balochi sardars in Balochistan.

(Electoral reforms should be introduced to minimize the role of money during election campaigns. This will ensure the election of honest, God-fearing and competent people who really want to serve the people.)

The NA members of the suspended National Assembly belonging to MQM, PML memebers from large urban centers of Punjab did nnot win by overspending. In the rural districts in the contests between opposing feudals probably spend equal amounts. Pakkistan does not have shortage of God-fearing people who will be even more incompetent than the current NA members. Place like Muridke and Raiwind are full of God-fearing people.

(A High Court bench should be established also at the district level. The number of judges in the higher judiciary will have to be increased accordingly.)

Extremely small number of cases actually reach to the High Court level. This step can wait until other more important issues have been settled.

(Circumstances have provided a golden opportunity to the government. It should make much of this in order to ameliorate the lot of the masses who have suffered a lot at the hands of successive governments. It is a `now or never` situation for Pakistan.)

A small number of people have created the golden opportunity for themselves to be in-charge of the government. The suffering of the masses is a continous phenomenon of the last 52 years and has played no role in the decision to overthrow the NS government. The last statement is a total nonscense. There will be better opportunities for devolution in a revived economy as well as revived democracy. No previous democratic government is on-the-record for opposing devolution to district level.

Most of the other items have already been presented by you and others on this forum. In my opinion, Pervez Musharaf should have only one-point agenda, either revival of the economy or return to democracy as soon as possible.

Regards,

Sameer

Umairr # 549

Point taken Umair. Yes I know several disgruntled officers between the ranks of captain and colonel. In fact the most disgruntled of all are the majors. Brigadier above are the happiest.

I think it has something to do with the military evaluation system. They intentioally keep the lower cadres at subsistance level for reason of motivation to make it to Brigadier above.

I have seen too many psycho cases who were sauperceded majors. Supercession is the most painful aspect of a military career and indeed destroys the victim mentally.

Thanks for your detailed reply.

Rgds.

Zeemax:

Whether the Pak military has done an exceptional job of Pakistan, or a terrible job is a debatable topic. One could argue either way, and come up with a pretty good argument.

However, I have noticed that many civilians seem to have some very incorrect perceptions about the living standards and perks offered to military officers. Perhaps from the outside it seems as if the military personnel have a good standard of living. However the actual situation is completely different. Had the perks been so good, I would have still been in the military. Military officers have perhaps the lowest living standard of all professionals in Pakistan. I have seen both sides, and believe me I know what I am talking about.

You need to keep a couple of things in mind. The military was a very prosperous profession in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. During those days, military officers had some of the highest living standards in Pakistan. Every PAF pilot had a chance to spend 4 to 5 years in Dubai, Saudia Arabia etc., where they were paid a fortune. I believe the army had a couple of brigades in the Middle East. The officers who built their careers during those times are now generals (like Musharraf), and no doubt they did quite well for themselves. Most, if not all of them, were able to make enough money legally, to send their children abroad. I know in the 50s the average PAF pilot made more money than a US Air Force pilot.

The situation from 80s onwards has been very very different. Group Captains in the PAF are now willing to take entry level jobs in PIA. I know so many retired colonels who are living hand to mouth. The perks you talk about, in the military, are only available to the rank of Brigadier and above. Every now and then one gets the free house/apartment, as advertised. I spent over half my career in one room shelter accomodation. Many of my friends still travel in buses with their families. My friends in the civilian and private sector, with equal abilities, and doing the same job, are in much better position than my friends in the military. My own standard of living more than doubled since I left the military (even while I was still in Pakistan).

The lifestyle you have described was enjoyed by people who are now at the rank of generals, basically throughout their careers. It does not exist anymore. The foreign postings are almost non-existent. The people reaching the ranks of Brigadier now, can barely afford a middle class living (unless they are independently wealthy).

Another problem is that, in my opinion, the Pakistan military is a very top-heavy organization. Way too many generals. These generals hog up all the welfare resources that should be spent on the junior officers. They insist that they should be allowed to match the lifestyles of their civilian counterparts. In the process, the colonels and below are left with nothing. This is one of the reasons I left the military. I spent all my time criticizing this problem.

The military is not the profession of choice for the Pakistani above average youth anymore. It used to be from the 50s to the 70s. Not anymore, due to the very low living standards.

Zeemax # 547

I agree with you about having a direct link from the home page to all the articles related to current Pakistani situation. However, you may find it convenient to bookmark, ``Again, Desparate Times`` article. This one provides link to replies as well as to, ``He had no Choice``.

Regards,

Sameer

Why doesn´t Umair Khan of Chowk make a seperate forum for opinions which appear in `` He had no choice ``, ``Again, Desperate Times``, ``In search of Benovalent Dictators``, ``Hegemony of the ruling elite`` ? I´m getting sick of this hide and seek game !

Umairr # 538

Re army pay :

I never stated that the army is over-paid. What I did say was that how is it a favour to the nation for their voluntarily/condescendingly not drawing ``travelling allowance / daily allowance`` as they did during their stint in Wapda, after seizing power uninvited ? I also said that since they can´t even do their job right for which they´re paid i.e. country´s defense, why should they be paid extra for doing what they aren´t supposed to do in the first instance ?

In any event, you may agree that a mere figure of the take-home-pay does not define the actual standard of living. It´s the benefits and perks which count. You being an employer yourself will doubtless know the basic salary in the pay slip is kept at a bare minimum intentionally to lower the tax burden, while the employee is compensated through benefits/perks & cash reimbursements. Military is no exception. General (Retd.) Musharraf has revealed that he has paid his income tax but he didn´t say how much ! I would like you to venture a guess; Even at the highest echelons of military this tax would probably be less than my monthly phone bill.

Now about miltary´s perks - something a mere mortal lowly creature like a civilian can only dream about ! Free housing, free transportation on duty for all and off-duty for senior officers, the best medical care available free, automatic admission of children to the very best cadet schools and colleges at heavily subsidised cost, grocery shopping through subsidised CSD stores, choicest residential real estate in prestigious locations in cities at laughable prices - making many military men millionaires overnight, post-retirement pensions and benefits, choice jobs in army run commercial enterprises and beurocracy after retirement. What else could anyone want ? The PIA pilots and merchant marine men of your example get none of the above perks.

By above I however do not wish to imply that these perks are unfair. The armymen, after all, are expected to lay down their lives for the country without a second thought. No monetary benefits could compensate for that expectation. It is quite another story whether that expectation is met or indeed has ever been met.

This is just to place matters on record.

Rgds

My Reply #: 543

My post was addressed to Umair (UR). The last phrase should have been ``a sense of national disunity.`` Perhaps it was due to my sloppiness. I apologize.

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

Bahmad: You stated, ``Your statement: ``In Pakistan they [most army personnel] get very little pay for there work, in comparison to their civilian counterparts.`` This seems to be a quote from one of my replies, although you did not mention my name. So I will take the liberty of explaining my position.

What I stated is a fact, and is extremely well documented. All, not most, military personnel in Pakistan, do get very little pay in comparison to their civilian counterparts. This is actually true at all ranks, not at just the junior ranks. Whether one agrees or disagrees with their payscale is a separate issue, however it does not change the reality of the fact.

You stated, ``. I have made a distinction between army personnel and institution, which you and a few other supporters of Pakistan army don`t seem to appreciate.`` In the end, it is a combination of the personalities of the personnel that forms an institution. So the two are tightly inter-twined. You seemed to have assumed that I am a supporter of the army. Perhaps you have reached this conclusion, because I am not ready to criticize the military for every issue under the sun, and for all the problems in Pakistan.

For the record, I am definitely not a supporter of the military. However I am not an opposer, either. I am just trying to describe the situation as objectively as I can. There are areas where the military needs to be criticized, and other areas where it is doing fine. My comments were in reply to a comment from Zeemax indicating that the military employees are overpaid, ``The soldiers will do us a favour for not getting paid twice, and that too for not doing even a single job.`` My experiences have indicated to me that this statement is very false.

You have a right to your views about the military. I have no interest in changing your views. However, I am not quite sure how well you understand the military. I would appreciate it if you do not jump to a conclusion on my being a supporter or opposer of the military, just because I am not criticizing the military with the same intensity that you are. Regarding your list: I definitely agree with 1. Partially agree with 2,5, and 6. Disagree with 3, and 4. I don`t think I will be able to change your mind regarding 3 or 4, so I will not attempt any explanations.

Your statement: ``In Pakistan they [most army personnel] get very little pay for there work, in comparison to their civilian counterparts.``

Comment: A major source of Pakistan`s plight are not really the common soldiers and lower-level officers. I have made a distinction between army personnel and institution, which you and a few other supporters of Pakistan army don`t seem to appreciate. As an institution, Pakistan army has: (1) meddled in national politics; (2) forced the nation to bear the exorbitant cost of adopting a policy which undermines the need for peaceful resolution of conflicts; (3) created a need to spend a large chunk of our meager national wealth for the purchase of arms and ammunition from foreign countries (even in very hard times); (4) created and perpetuated a sense of inequality and deprivation among the people of Pakistan, especially in Sindh, Baluchistan and erstwhile East Pakistan; (5) encouraged the export of mercenaries to other countries (particularly to safeguard American interests in the Middle East); and (6) occasionally imposed violence upon the citizens of Pakistan which reinforced a sense of national.

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad