The government has increased salary of the President from Rs 1 million to Rs 1.6 million in the federal budget for fiscal year 2017-18 with an increase in total budget for Presidency from Rs 941,886,000 in 2016-17 to Rs 959,693,000 for 2017-18.

The budget documents reveal that sumptuary allowances of the President have been decreased from Rs 600,000 to only Rs 1,000, while an amount of Rs 1.5 million has been allocated under the head of presents and charities that was Rs 1.2 million in the 2016-17 budget.

The government has allocated Rs 1 million for discretionary grant and Rs 60 million for contingent grant of the President, while an amount of Rs 104,787,000 will be spent on wages of household servants of the President. Maintenance of gardens of the Presidency cost the nation Rs 34,900,000 in 2016-17 and Rs 41,325,000 have been allocated for it in the budget for 2017-18.

Under the head of state conveyance and motorcars, the government has allocated Rs 39,756,000 while Rs 21,268,000 have been allocated for establishment of a dispensary and Rs 13,250,000 are allocated for tour expenses of the President. An amount of Rs 348,306,000 has been allocated in the budget for staff of the President Secretariat (Public) that includes employees related expenses, operating expenses, employees retirement benefits, grants subsidies and write off loans, entertainment and gifts, physical assets, repairs and maintenance and computer equipment.-Business Recorder