CM allowed use of helicopter

K-P assembly passes bill despite PML-N, ANP staunch opposition

PESHAWAR:

Provincial assembly on Tuesday passed Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Ministers (Salaries, Allowances and Privileges) (Amendment) Bill, 2022 allowing chief minister to use rented or official rotary-wing for fixed wing aircraft for official visits.

The chief minister will also be authorised to allow any minister or bureaucrat to use helicopter or aircraft for official business.

Lawmakers from Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and Awami National Party (ANP) protested the bill while Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) legislators kept their silence.

According to section 7B-1 of the amended bill chief minister is permitted to use the official helicopter, aircraft for official tours. He is also allowed to rent aircraft from the open market, air force, or army. Furthermore, he is also authorised to permit any minister or bureaucrat to travel in helicopter on government expenses.

It may be mentioned that previously only chief minister was allowed to use helicopter for tours.

PML-N and ANP criticized the bill and said that it was not for the increase in salaries but the government was able to pass the bill from the house.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st, 2022.