Punjab Assembly approves hefty pay raise for MPAs

The Punjab Assembly has unanimously passed a bill to significantly raise the salaries of lawmakers, increasing them from Rs76,000 to Rs400,000.

The Punjab Revision of Salaries of Public Representatives 2024 bill was approved during an assembly session presided over by Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan on Monday.

Leader of the Opposition Ahmad Khan Bachar raised objections to the bill; however, the speaker defended it as being aligned with the 1972 Parliamentary Act, terming it a constitutional and justified step.

“The perks, including salaries and allowances of the speaker, deputy speaker, MPAs, parliamentary secretaries, advisors, special assistants, and ministers, are governed by their respective laws. Every time a revision is needed, the relevant laws must be amended by the Assembly,” the bill states.

The bill highlights that the last increase was implemented in 2019 and that the current emoluments are “very low” and “inadequate” given the prevailing economic circumstances.

Proposed Salary Increases:

• MPAs: From Rs76,000 to Rs400,000
• Ministers: From Rs100,000 to Rs960,000
• Punjab Assembly Speaker: From Rs125,000 to Rs950,000
• Deputy Speaker: From Rs120,000 to Rs800,000
• Parliamentary Secretary: From Rs83,000 to Rs451,000
• Adviser to the CM: From Rs100,000 to Rs665,000
• Special Assistant to the CM: From Rs100,000 to Rs665,000

Resolution Honoring APS Tragedy Victims

In addition to the salary revision, the assembly also unanimously passed a resolution condemning the 2014 Army Public School (APS), Peshawar tragedy.

Moved by PML-N MPA Raheela Khadim Hussein, the resolution called for exemplary punishment for the perpetrators of the heinous attack, which claimed the lives of innocent students and school staff.

The resolution emphasized that such tragedies cannot shake the resolve of the nation and paid rich tribute to the teachers and 124 students martyred in the attack a decade ago.