PTI rejects hike in lawmakers’ salaries
The number of return business-class air tickets for MPs have been increased to 30
PHOTO: PTI
ISLAMABAD:
Terming it ‘unjustified’ and ‘inappropriate’, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Thursday rejected a government move to grant lawmakers a massive bump in their salaries.
“Given [the current] economic conditions of the country, [we] cannot afford lavish spending on MPs,” said a statement issued by the party.
Absence from assembly: PTI lawmakers to return seven-month salaries
The decision came after a high-level meeting of the party chaired by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.
But the decision is strange because PTI MNAs did not initially vote against the recommendations of the Committee on Salary and Allowances when it was introduced in the National Assembly last week. Furthermore Thursday’s statement did not list any future course of parliamentary action that the PTI would take to block it.
The party meeting, which was held ahead of the 12-member parliamentary committee meeting to frame Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the probe into Panama leaks, decided to highlight the scandal and continue demanding thorough investigations into it.
PTI further decided to play an active role for the required legislation which would grant legal cover to any eventual probe.
PTI lawmakers return amid slurs and walkouts
Last week, the National Assembly voted unanimously to adopt recommendations of the committee that increased salary packages of lawmakers to Rs470,000, including a basic salary of Rs200,000, transport allowance of Rs50,000, utilities of Rs50,000, office maintenance of Rs100,000, and constituency allowance of Rs70,000.
Further the road journey allowance was increased from Rs10 to Rs20 per/km with the provision that a member be provided with vouchers which can be cashed for up to Rs30,000.
The number of return business-class air tickets for MPs have been increased to 30 with the provision that their family members can use the tickets as well.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2016.
Terming it ‘unjustified’ and ‘inappropriate’, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Thursday rejected a government move to grant lawmakers a massive bump in their salaries.
“Given [the current] economic conditions of the country, [we] cannot afford lavish spending on MPs,” said a statement issued by the party.
Absence from assembly: PTI lawmakers to return seven-month salaries
The decision came after a high-level meeting of the party chaired by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.
But the decision is strange because PTI MNAs did not initially vote against the recommendations of the Committee on Salary and Allowances when it was introduced in the National Assembly last week. Furthermore Thursday’s statement did not list any future course of parliamentary action that the PTI would take to block it.
The party meeting, which was held ahead of the 12-member parliamentary committee meeting to frame Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the probe into Panama leaks, decided to highlight the scandal and continue demanding thorough investigations into it.
PTI further decided to play an active role for the required legislation which would grant legal cover to any eventual probe.
PTI lawmakers return amid slurs and walkouts
Last week, the National Assembly voted unanimously to adopt recommendations of the committee that increased salary packages of lawmakers to Rs470,000, including a basic salary of Rs200,000, transport allowance of Rs50,000, utilities of Rs50,000, office maintenance of Rs100,000, and constituency allowance of Rs70,000.
Further the road journey allowance was increased from Rs10 to Rs20 per/km with the provision that a member be provided with vouchers which can be cashed for up to Rs30,000.
The number of return business-class air tickets for MPs have been increased to 30 with the provision that their family members can use the tickets as well.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2016.