Zardari stops Sindh MPAs from going ahead with their salary increase

CM Murad Ali Shah approved a summary to increase his own salary by more than 300 per cent

KARACHI: Taking notice of media reports on the massive increase in the salaries of Sindh’s lawmakers, Pakistan Peoples Party’s co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has restrained the chief minister from implementing the order.

Senior party leader Farhatullah Babar said the former president directed Shah not to implement the order due to the “country’s present economic situation”.

Earlier in the day, Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah approved a summary to increase his own salary, as well as of provincial minsters and advisers.

The chief minister used to draw Rs35000, which under the new summary was increased to Rs150,000. The new house rent and maintenance allowances stood at Rs140,000, official sources told The Express Tribune.



According to official documents available with The Express Tribune, the salary of the speaker was increased from Rs80,000 to Rs150,000. The deputy speaker will get Rs140,000 instead of Rs70,000, according to the new order.

The salaries of ministers and advisers were also increased from Rs30,000 to Rs75,000, excluding the allowances.