Political games: MQM to return lawmakers’ official salaries

KARACHI:

Parliamentarians of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in the Sindh Assembly have decided to return their salaries once their resignations are officially accepted by the speaker.

The MQM resigned from the parliament and the Sindh Assembly on August 12, citing victimisation in the ongoing targeted operation in Karachi. When it was brought to the media's attention that the MQM lawmakers are receiving their salaries and others perks despite tendering their resignations, the party issued a statement the following day that it will give back the salaries.

The leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly and party leader, Khawaja Izharul Hassan, said they will return their salaries after their resignations are accepted but the decision has yet to be taken as to where the money would go. "We may donate our salaries to the Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF) or return it to the Sindh government, the decision will be taken later," he said.

There are 51 MPAs in the Sindh Assembly, each of which is drawing a salary of more than Rs70,000 every month. The MQM leader said that previously in 2012 and 2013, when the lawmakers were out of the assembly for six months, they donated their salaries to the KKF.

Regarding other perks and benefits, he said that almost all of the MPAs had returned their official cars. "My office in the assembly has a big lock and none of us are attending any official engagements or meetings of the standing committees."

However, regarding the issue of keeping police guards with them, he said that they required security.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2015.