How do we justify this raise in pay?
The over 146 pc jump in the emoluments of the parliamentarians was unanimously welcomed by them as the benefits were distributed even-handedly across the political divide. The Finance Minister visited the two houses of Parliament to personally receive the accolades for the decision. Three years back members of the Sindh Assembly had agreed to raise their pays and were followed a year later by their peers in Balochistan. With lawmakers authorised to thus help themselves to the national kitty, members of Punjab Assembly raised their salaries by a 100 pc earlier this year. A similar exercise was undertaken soon after in the KPK Assembly.
The minister of state for information has justified the raise in view of the increase in inflation over decades making it difficult for MPs to manage their households. This might be true only about a min-minority among the lawmakers. Those who come from the rural background mostly comprise big landlords while those representing urban centers possess enough resources to spend millions on their election campaign. There is hardly any justification for tying the salaries of those enjoying a luxurious living with increase in inflation.
Does the government consider the performance of the parliamentarians satisfactory? The MP’s record of attendance during the last three years has been dismal. Since the PM fails to attend most of the National Assembly sittings, the ruling party ministers and MNAs follow suit. Among the opposition leaders Imran Khan rarely attends a sitting. The absenteeism causes lack of quorum resulting in delayed or canceled sittings. The government has therefore to rely more on ordinances than passing laws. Laws are often passed by a minority just above one fourth of the total NA membership. The Speaker has protested against the absence of the ministers while the ruling party’s chief whip has expressed inability to maintain the quorum. The issue has been frequently raised in the media. This has however failed to improve the attendance. In view of the parliamentarians’ less than satisfactory performance the pay raise is likely to be interpreted as an undue favour which is politically motivated.
The most important factor of this unprecedented bribing has been that all angels in this wretched house have been thoroughly exposed like Jamaat Islami, socalled ‘Peoples’ Party of Zardari branch and PTI! How can they face this nation now? Not a word of protest from these stalwarts of people. They should start wearing Hijab.
Agreed in toto with the Editorial. It is an indirect tactic of PML(N) Government to purchase and enhance the loyalties of the bunch of most corrupt public representatives. May be the PM is expecting impeachment and wants to use the House to protect him – like he has done previously. Chances are, the passage of the PM is going to be clear after the CAOS retires and next is CJ Supreme Court of Pakistan. The Panama case is likely to be swept under the carpet. Come 2018 and starts the game of Musical Chairs. The unfortunate country that we are.
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