PTI asks Punjab Assembly to reverse its decision for pay rise

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary Omar Sarfaraz Cheema has demanded of the Punjab Assembly to take back its decision of recent rise in the salaries of the provincial lawmakers, ARY News reported on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Imran Khan also expressed deep disappointment over the decision of Punjab Assembly.

Cheema in his statement issued here from Islamabad said, Prime Minister Imran Khan set an example by introducing austerity drive and the Punjab lawmakers should also follow his footprints.

“The MPAs should come forward and render sacrifice for the nation in this difficult time”, the statements read.

The PTI’s central information secretary relayed that after PM Khan’s statement; the situation has become crystal clear and hoped that the Punjab assembly will reverse its decision.

Read more: PM ‘disappointed’ over Punjab Assembly’s move for pay rise, privileges

On the other hand, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry in his reaction on the micro blogging website, Twitter wrote, “Seems Punjab Government and the CM House is in the dark about the PM and the federal government austerity policies otherwise such sham exercise of awarding huge benefits to themselves would not have happened.”

Seems Punjab Government and the CM House is in the dark about the PM and the federal Govt Austerity policies otherwise such sham exercise of awarding huge benefits to themselves would not have happened…

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) March 14, 2019

Earlier 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.