Pak armed forces in Zimbabwe get more perks

Islamabad, Jan 6: Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz hasapproved the revised draft of an agreement for deputation of thecountry's armed forces personnel with attractive perks and privileges.

The Daily Times quoted defence ministry sources as saying here,that according to the revised agreement, the armed forces personnelselected for deputation to Zimbabwe would get enhanced monthlypackages.

The draft agreement contains 26 articles that define terms andconditions of the deputation, which have been mutually agreed by thegovernments of Pakistan and Zimbabwe, the sources added.

They said officers from the rank of captain to brigadier and thoseof equivalent ranks in the Air Force and Navy on their deputation toZimbabwe would get monthly salary in the range of 1,500 dollars to3,300 dollars and other allowances and privileges such as freeaccommodation and medical cover.

The sources said the monthly salary of troops in lower ranks wouldbe from 615 dollars to 712 dollars besides other allowances andprivileges.

The duration of appointment on deputation in Zimbabwe will be of two years, extendable for another year.

''Officers will be entitled to 30,000 dollars and other ranks to15,000 dollars comprehensive insurance to be offered by the governmentof Zimbabwe,'' the sources said, adding that the previous agreement wasrevised on Pakistan's request after the Zimbabwe government askedIslamabad for provision of six flight instructors.

The sources said that Pakistan agreed to provide technicalassistance and training facilities to Zimbabwean armed forces andsigned an agreement in this regard on April 29, 1983.

''The revised agreement will ensure better conditions to ourtroops on deputation because the terms and conditions under the22-year-old agreement were not feasible now, keeping in view theincreased cost of living, the sources said.

The new agreement will be renewable after every five years andwill extend automatically until one of the two parties requests changesor termination of the agreement.

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