Punjab Assembly okays massive pay raise for MPAs

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly (PA) unanimously passed the resolution condemning the Army Public School, Peshawar tragedy of 2014 on Monday, besides passing a bill for massively raising members’ salaries from from Rs76,000 to Rs400,000

In the PA session, held with Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan in the chair, a resolution moved by PMLN MPA Raheela Khadim Hussein demanded exemplary punishment for the perpetrators of this heinous act in which innocent students and school staff were martyred by the terrorists.

The resolution stated that such incidents could not terrify the nation. The resolution also paid rich tribute to the teachers and 124 students martyred 10 years ago in the tragedy. Besides, the Punjab Assembly passed the Punjab Revision of Salaries of Public Representatives 2024. Opposition leader Ahmad Khan Bachar raised objections to the Bill but Speaker PA termed it as per the 1972 Parliamentary Act. Speaker PA Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan remarked that the Bill was a right and constitutional step.

According to the Bill: “The perks including salaries and allowances of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, MPAs, Parliamentary Secretaries, Advisors, Special Assistants and Ministers are governed by their respective laws and every time, a revision in their perks is needed, relevant laws were required to be amended by the Assembly. An increase in their salary was made in 2019 and the emoluments drawn by them are “very low” and “inadequate” in the prevailing circumstances. Therefore, an increase in their salary is proposed.”

A minister’s pay will increase from Rs100,000 to Rs960,000 and for the Punjab Assembly speaker, it will increase from Rs125,000 to Rs950,000. The salary of the deputy speaker will jump to Rs800,000 from Rs120,000; parliamentary secretary from Rs83,000 to Rs451,000; adviser to the CM from Rs100,000 to Rs665,000; special assistant to the CM from Rs100,000 to Rs665,000.