Punjab Assembly passes bill raising salaries of lawmakers

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LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill increasing the salary, allowances, perks and privileges to each legislator.

Under the bill, salaries of the speaker and deputy speaker have been increased to Rs260,000 and Rs245,000, respectively. The chief minister will now draw Rs425,000 per month.

The salary of a minister has been increased to Rs275,000 and an MPA will now draw Rs195,000 per month.

Besides salary, each legislator will receive an additional amount of Rs50,000 per month as house rent. Former chief ministers, who do not have their own house in Lahore, would be given official residence in the provincial capital.

Earlier, the National Assembly on its farewell day had approved a bill seeking a massive increase in the salary of President Mamnoon Hussain as well as perks and privileges given to the Head of the State on June 1, 2018.

Introduced by Minister for Parlia­mentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, the bill suggested that the president’s salary is increased to Rs846,550 from Rs133,333.

The opposition had strongly oppos­ed the bill vehemently when it was tabled on May 24. But during the farewell session, the Opposition didn’t raise any hue and cry and let the proposed legislation sailed through the House.