LAHORE: Awn Chaudhry, Adviser to Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar, joined the bandwagon of censuring the move of Punjab Assembly related to raise in salaries of provincial lawmakers.
In a protesting tone on Thursday, Chaudhry wrote on Twitter: “I refuse to accept increased salary from Punjab govt.”
Endorsing the stance of Prime Minister Imran Khan regarding salary increment, he further said, “My sole salary goes to Shaukat Khanum already because I believe that our priority shud [should] be national interest and not increment in salaries.”
“Increment not acceptable,” the adviser slammed.
I refuse to accept increased salary from Punjab govt. I stand by PM Imran Khan’s stance reg increment in salaries. My sole salary goes to Shaukat Khanum already because I believe that our priority shud be national interest and not increment in salaries. Increment not acceptable
— Awn Chaudry (@AwnChaudry) March 14, 2019
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary Omar Sarfaraz Cheema has also demanded the Punjab Assembly to take back its decision of pay raise.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Khan expressed extreme ‘disappointment’ over the decision of Punjab Assembly.
On Wednesday, the Punjab Assembly had 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.
