‘Make assets of CM’s advisers, assistants known’

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers have called for the assets of provincial advisers and special assistants in Sindh to be made public. An amended private members' bill in this regard was submitted on Wednesday before the Sindh Assembly secretariat by PTI MPAs Arsalan Taj Ghumman and Rabia Azfar Nizami.

Speaking to the media, they said the prime minister had set an example by making public his advisors and special assistants' assets and the same should be done for other public service officials.

Individuals who were rejected by citizens have been appointed as advisers and assistants in Sindh, said Nizami. "Giving the status of a minister to an adviser cannot be decided by a single person."

The proposed amendment bill also defines the salary and allowances for the advisers and special assistants as per certain standards. Currently, the lawmakers claim, the act empowers the chief minister to determine these.

Elaborating, Nizami said the bill has to do with legalising advisers’ status. "More bills will be submitted in the coming days," she said, expressing the hope that the assembly speaker would respect their private bills.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1^st, 2020.