PESHAWAR:
In a notification issued on July 9, but not yet made public, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has increased the salaries of advisers and special assistants by almost 94%, from Rs18,000 per month to Rs35,000. In addition to new benefits such as an annual Rs500,000 home furnishing allowance, existing benefits have also been bumped up.
The K-P administration department had initially issued a notification announcing the salaries for all MPAs on June 20, 2013. In a partial revision, the employment terms for advisers and special assistants to the chief minister (CM) were modified, effective July 2014. The provincial cabinet approved the increase on June 6, 2014 in a meeting held under the chair of CM Pervez Khattak.
After an increment in salaries for K-P ministers last month, former minister for information Shah Farman had stated that the hike is an essential step to curb corruption in the province.
Documents available with The Express Tribune reveal that 10 MPAs, including four advisers and six special assistants, will see a substantial increase in their salaries and incentives. It is also mentioned that their salary will now increase every year like other government employees.
Money talks
According to the new breakdown, Rs35,000 will be paid as a basic salary – almost twice as much as the previous Rs18,000.
Their landlines will be free, while they will be allotted Rs5,000 for their mobile phone usage in addition to a Rs15,000 sumptuary allowance, which was previously Rs6,000. Additionally, an extra daily allowance of Rs1,000 will also be handed out to the 10 MPAs.
The advisers and special assistants will be allowed to spend Rs500,000 on furnishing their residence through the year – a new perk. Rs70,000 will be provided as a house subsidy and another Rs70,000 for house requisition per month – a substantial increase from the previous Rs40,000 given for all household rent and maintenance. Utility bills will also be paid in full by the government.
Travel and health
The official vehicles of the MPAs will be maintained by the government and 600 litres of fuel per month will be provided.
The notification adds that during official tours inside and outside the country, these advisers and special assistants will be treated as first grade officers. Accommodation during travel for the 10 MPAs will be at the government’s expense in circuit houses and other guesthouses.
Medical facilities will be provided to them under predetermined government rules, while a Rs500,000 compensation has been introduced in case of an air accident.
Over and above all incentives and facilities, Rs300,000 discretionary grants will be awarded annually by the government to the lawmakers.
“The chief minister’s order hurts the spirit of the 18th Amendment,” Awami National Party’s parliamentary leader Sardar Hussain Babak told The Express Tribune. “It requires that a cabinet must not exceed 11% of the total strength of the assembly, while the current number is near 25%.”
In case of the K-P government, Babak explained, the cabinet should not exceed 15 members, including the CM. This limitation is intended to reduce the burden of an army of ministers on the exchequer, he added.
“The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government has increased the cabinet size to 34 members, which has more than doubled the burden on our treasury,” said the ANP leader.
The advisers who will enjoy the incentives are Akbar Ayub Khan of Communication & Works, Shakeel Ahmad of Population Welfare, Amjid Khan Afridi of Sports, Culture, Tourism & Museums, and Malik Qasim Khan Khattak of Prisons.
Meanwhile, the special assistants include Abdul Munim of Industries, Commerce & Labour, Mohammad Ishtiaq of Environment, Muhibullah Khan of Livestock, Soran Singh of Minority Affairs, Arif Yousaf of Law, and Meher Taj Roghani of Social Welfare.
Despite repeated attempts, none of the advisers or special assistants could be reached for comments.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 23rd, 2014.
COMMENTS (29)
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@Zain: NAB as in KPK's NAB, not federal NAB (seriously). I'm assuming you're aware that health ministry is responsible for more than just an anti-polio drive? And his performance is judged on more than sehat ka insaf. He was a minister, not a contractor that you can fire.
@Usman: NAB is a federal body. KPK cannot make/create an "independent NAB" on it's own.
And no, QWP was most definitely not 'kicked out' due to corruption. The coalition broke b/c both sides were demanding a bigger share of the pie for themselves (from PTI, the like minded wanted more ministries and the QWP blackmailing to get more for itself). If there was corruption, PTI would/should have filed corruption cases. Shuffling around ministers for 'bad performance' but retaining them at the same time. Sehat ka Insaf (restricted to Dist Peshwawar) called successful but Health Minister transferred due to 'bad performance'. Transferred, not removed.
I don't understand why people are creating such a big Fuss about increase of salaries ?? just because they are member of assembly ?? if they had increased the salaries of Government employees then everyone would have been appreciating the gesture .. we are such a confused nation arguing on non serious matter wasting our energy .. and by the way Punjab and sindh ministers and members of assemblies still get more then KPK ..
"Usman Vs Adnan Siddiqi" battle rages on; good to see Pakistan's finest engage in a meaningful (albeit acerbic) dialogue.
@sidjeen: what a shame.
we were promised of New Pakistan but guess what we are stuck with the old one.
I voted for Imran Khan and what ever was there in manifesto of PTI he has not delivered a thing, slogans stays slogans they are only meant to lure people to vote.
slogan of; new pakistan
law makers being law makers only
lacal body election
larger budget for the education
better security conditions
Being a PTI supporter, I don't agree with the perks. Salary increase is fine but half million a year for house refurbishment, free travel, telephone, health and daily allowances is scandalous. School teachers, policemen, firefighters and nurses are far more important than these MPAs. PTI has alot to deliver and they don't have long. So far they have been average better than the other 3 provinces but well below to be an example.
@Adnan Siddiqi: Is that a rant? As in, did you actually want me to respond to it or should I just leave you to talk while looking in the mirror? I'll give it a go:
. 1) does the Australian Parliament and State Legislatures have the power to appoint each and every member of the ruling party as ministers, secretaries and advisers? . I don't know, search it on Wikipedia. . 2) Does the Australian executive have the right unilateral right to spike the salaries of the legislators without a debate and justifying such massive increments . Yes, and they regularly do that. It gets scrutinised, it gets debated, it gets challenged but they have the legislative right to appoint salaries without debate.
. 3) Can you also shed light on the connection between performance, appraisals and increments . Direct, strong and irrefutable connection. Anyone who's been through their annual performance review would know. Hard to see its importance when you're unemployed (you aren't unemployed are you?) . 4) Does a lawmaker deserve any form of increment if he does not even care represent his constituents in the parliament, openly denigrates the same institution for being overwhelmed by “Mafias” and being a mere debating club? . I agree, he shouldn't have used the word Mafias. I prefer 'monarchs, family limited parties, feudals and gora sahibs'. . 5) Speaking of anti-corruption efforts, can you name me one such effort being exercised in KPK? . Right to Information Act, Independent NAB and removal of a coalition partner on whom the entire government hinged. Can you spot a political ploy in their? Because I can't. QWP have been kicked out, if they initiate anything against IK, they will get their response (did you actually defend QWP degenerates for point scoring?) . And yes, this is exactly the model I want IK to follow. FYI, Australia is doing quiet well thank you.
Well what i think is that they just wanted to get political loyality. Members if this party are scattering now plus thats a pretty lame thing to do to avoud corruption. To avoid corruption try to pay 1 million each a month, still im pretty sure 50% or more would still try to get even more by immoral means.
another thing is this party oposes luxuries and expenses by govt officials. How will they justify unlimited landline phone, 600 litrs of petrol( 68000rs for petrol per month) blah blah. Provincial govt should look up their motives first before making a decision.
@adnan siddiqui Aah, Adnan siddiqui, good to have you ...uuh..."enlightening" us on how "PTI is performing." I'm glad to see that you have personally been to KP, and have seen corruption happening, have seen rulers of KP shoot people at plain sight (Model Town) and have seen KP MPAs release their criminal brethren out of jail. Glad to see you've witnessed all this and are that's why a staunch PMLN supporter because they really dont do any of those things, do they? Please, write me a personal message on how awesome the Metro Train is. I'm dying to know. My vote is for Al-Nawaz...uuh, I mean Nawaz Sharif next elections definitely. Hoorah!
@Taimoor:
In Punjab & Sindh, MPAs indulge in massive corruption in the name of “Development Funds”.
With all due respect bro, do you make a serious effort to act naive or does it come naturally? You are raising fingers on the Development Funds and the corruption that takes place on account of such funds. Yet the PTI legislators raised a lot of hue and cry a few days ago:
http://tribune.com.pk/story/719652/demanding-justice-pti-mpas-turn-to-court-with-allegations-of-discrimination/
While you my kind Sir is castigating the Development Funds, the Inquilabis sitting in Sindh Assembly are begging for such funds by way of intervention of courts. PITY!!
@Usman - taking one step ahead and two steps back is neither progress nor success. But I guess thats the way all "politicians" work. Unfortunately, IK has become just another politician. I don't support any other politicians, but having voted for PTI, I am seriously disappointed at the way the government is being run. Guess thats what happens when you start listening to the Sheikh from Rawalpindi huh. Bw, I will never forget the Geo programme where IK sat opposite the sheikh and said that if I am to become a politician like you, its better I dont become a politician at all.
@Aschraful Makhlooq: A better solution would be to ask army to stop their lavish life style. And stop spending millions on themselves.
@Usman:
Oh wow! I thank you my kind sir for a quicky lesson on Corporate and Political Governance 101. Let me ask you a question since you are pretending to be so enlightened and erudite, does the Australian Parliament and State Legislatures have the power to appoint each and every member of the ruling party as ministers, secretaries and advisers? Does the Australian executive have the right unilateral right to spike the salaries of the legislators without a debate and justifying such massive increments?
Can you also shed light on the connection between performance, appraisals and increments? Does a lawmaker deserve any form of increment if he does not even care represent his constituents in the parliament, openly denigrates the same institution for being overwhelmed by "Mafias" and being a mere debating club?
Speaking of anti-corruption efforts, can you name me one such effort being exercised in KPK? Why haven't the QWP ministers dismissed last year on grounds of graft and corruption amounting to billions haven't been booked as yet for violating the sanctity of their oath and public trust?
If this in your book is how PTI is suppose to create a model of good governance, then we are thanking our lucky stars that this party did not get the majority.
I am quiet amazed that this particular model that you are crediting PTI with is implemented in Australia as well!!! Either Australia has gone on to become a really dysfunctional state or you sir are perched inside Banigala.
@Aschraful Makhlooq,
Army people get much more allowances with taxpayer money compared to politicians.
So why army rule?
Good decision.
MPAs/assistants etc should be well compensated. We have to consider that a poor person can also be an MPA, and in case of PTI, there are many middle class MPAs in KP assembly.
Otherwise, only dirty rich will seek to be part of parliament.
In Punjab & Sindh, MPAs indulge in massive corruption in the name of "Development Funds".
@Adnan Siddiqi: Couldn't control your spastic fingers could you? If PTI is hurting bigots, it's doing all the right things in my book. . We are all well aware of civil service culture in Pakistan, where people bid for job positions. The job of a constable goes for around 8 Lakh with a monthly salary of Rs. 15,000. Hazard a guess where he will recover his money from? Millions of rupees were bid on the ex-OGRA chief's position, and we all know where he recovered his money from. . We need a culture where tough anti-corruption efforts are coupled with adequate rewards for our lawmakers and civil servants. I would rather they are drawing their money and perks from the government which is taxed and visible, rather than forced to become part of a corrupt system. Any good CEO, CM or PM knows this. Pakistanis who live overseas, who can actually see a democracy functioning know this, as do we in Australia. . It takes more than just rhetoric to run a successful government. PTI is doing just that,
what happened to the "changing the CM house into a university" slogan.
KPK and Sindh - Two sides of the same coin. Blame Federal Govt for everything and in the meanwhile continue engaging in corruption.
I wouldn't be surprised that just like funds being solicited for Sehat ka Isaf and Taleem ka Insaf, KPK government would start an innovative initiative titled "Adopt an MPA."
you can't stop these people from corruption no matter how much you increase their salaries. Further this isn't justice, here a boy who did his MBA from Bahria university,, Islamabad, is getting only 15000 per month. Why common people has to pay for the luxuries of MPAs
This is the change that PTI have been and is shouting for
@ Aamer Khawaja How can you possibly hold increment of tens of thousands in salaries comparable with the corruption of ministers that usually counts in millions and billions?
@Sidster:
The oldest comeback in the book - If I ain't a saint, so ain't you! Punjab never claimed to be geographically located in Paradise nor did it ever claim that the government there has descended from the most holy lineage of saints.
@Adnan Siddiqi: Thank you keeping youse of away and looking out for Corruption in KpK. Apparently all is well in Punjab.
@Noor: So in short, these corrupt MPA will be compensated for not doing corruption by officially handing them the money from taxes, in both ways the money comes out of the pockets of a common man. Sort of like when police asks for chai-paani instead of saying bribe.
What the country Pakistan has been where common and poor people are living from hand to mouth in miserable conditions and can afford and fulfill their lives' expenditures hardly and their elected people are living kingly and luxurious life with heavy salaries and allowances!!!!Army rule is much the best for Pakistan in which trillions of Rupees monthly can be saved which are spent on our own elected people's kingly and luxurious lives......
Trolls and dimwit followers of the fan club are fast asleep right now. Please enlighten us whenever y'all wake up.
Lesser salaries forces people for corruption.. And even this increase seems very petty.. I think their salaries should be equal to a senior corporate employee.