ISLAMABAD: A key federal minister on Friday hinted at the possibility of reviewing and even withdrawing the decision after the sharp public reaction to the unprecedented hike in the salaries and perks of the National Assembly Speaker, Chairman Senate, his deputies and federal ministers.
The announcement was made by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry during a discussion on the budget in the National Assembly. On the occasion, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq distanced himself from the controversy and clarified that neither he nor the Finance Committee of the House had played any role in the decision.
The Speaker categorically said that he would have no objection even if the decision to increase the salaries was withdrawn.
Speaker’s explanation and Minister’s acknowledgement
The Speaker interrupted Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub Khan’s speech and said:
“Let me give an explanation. Neither the finance committee [of the house] nor the National Assembly has made this decision. Those who have done so, they can do so,” he said without elaborating, adding that those who could make a decision about the salaries of ministers, speaker or the Senate chairman, could even withdraw it.
“There is no harm, if it [the raise] is withdrawn,” he said. However, he also said that the increase in the salaries of MPs has been done by the House Finance Committee, so it cannot be withdrawn.
Later, the parliamentary affairs minister himself admitted that his ministry had prepared the summary, which was approved by the federal cabinet. This revelation came at a time While Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is reported to have taken note of the decision, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has also strongly criticised it.
According to sources, this increase in salaries has been increased from 2 lakh rupees to 13 lakh rupees per month, while the total financial benefit after the increase of incentives exceeded 2 million rupees per month.
Minister of Finance and Public Response
At a post-budget press conference on June 11, Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb defended the pay hike, even though it was as high as 550% in some cases.
However, the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs has now said:
““Due to the general feelings among the government employees and those sections of the society which are living below the poverty line having no resources and for whom we have not added so much in the budget as our hands are tied, we can try to rectify such decision which has sent a bad message and caused a bad taste”.
He added that there was no substantial increase in the salaries of ministers and members in the last several years, so now the overall increase was made.
Bad assembly sound system and sensors
On the opening day of the budget debate, the proceedings of the Lower House witnessed disruptions and controversy. The Speaker announced that the mikes and sound systems in the first four rows of the House have been damaged which was attributed to PTI’s protest during the Finance Minister’s speech on June 10.
According to the speaker, the repair of the system will cost Rs 35 crore. Members of the opposition were given special mic access, and their speeches were not broadcast on YouTube and Facebook. The speaker’s speech was followed by a live broadcast on official social media.
Journalists also faced difficulties in coverage, as speakers and screens were removed from the press lounge. Journalists had to take notice from the press gallery. The ban led to several opposition members, including Omar Ayub, being seen making videos from mobile phones.
Debate on budget or a political speech?
Most of the speeches during the budget debate were political in nature. Opposition leader Omar Ayub strongly criticised the government’s economic policies and demanded the release of all political prisoners, including Imran Khan, alleging political vendetta.
He said there is no independent media, no independent judiciary in the country, and demanded that immediate elections be held after electoral reforms.
