PA panel okays nearly 200% hike in MPAs' salaries

Pay package set to jump from Rs150,000 to Rs430,000; allowances of senior officials also under review

KARACHI:

A Sindh Assembly committee has given the green light to a hefty increase in the salaries and perks of provincial lawmakers, approving a rise of almost 200 per cent.

The 18-member committee, chaired by Speaker Owais Qadir Shah, met on Wednesday and agreed to raise MPAs' monthly pay and allowances from the existing Rs150,000 to Rs430,000.

Pakistan Peoples Party lawmaker and committee member Imtiaz Shaikh told The Express Tribune that the panel had reviewed compensation packages in other provincial legislatures. "It was pointed out that Sindh legislators' salaries are lower compared to other assemblies and needed to be brought closer to those levels," he said.

For reference, members of the Punjab Assembly currently draw around Rs500,000 per month in salaries and allowances.

Besides the pay hike, the committee also approved increases in annual allowances and daily session allowances for lawmakers. A separate proposal is being prepared to revise the pay and perks of the chief minister, speaker, deputy speaker, ministers, opposition leader and parliamentary secretaries through legislation.

The meeting was attended by Law Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, alongside members from Pakistan Peoples Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Jamaat-e-Islami and Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf-backed legislators. The Sindh Assembly on August 9 had passed a bill increasing the salaries and privileges of its members.

The bill was moved by Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ziaul Hassan Lanjar during a session chaired by Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah. The House unanimously approved the salary and allowances bill, which was earlier cleared by the provincial cabinet. The new law equalises privileges for MPAs - both from government and opposition - covering hospitality, house rent, utilities, daily and conveyance allowances, accommodation, travel and mileage, telephone and medical facilities, as well as office maintenance.

The leader of the opposition will now receive the same salary and perks as a provincial minister. Parliamentary committee chairpersons will be entitled to use an official vehicle - with fuel and maintenance - but must return it within three days of vacating the post.