NA approves pay hike for members amid opposition protest

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Friday approved an amendment proposed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) regarding the salaries and benefits of its members, passing it by a majority vote.

PPP’s Abdul Qadir Patel introduced the amendment in the House, aiming to increase the privileges of Members of Parliament. This amendment to the Salaries and Allowances Act was incorporated into the Finance Bill.

Despite opposition resistance, the amendment passed, resulting in a significant hike in the travelling allowance for Assembly Members from Rs10 per kilometer to Rs25. Additionally, annual travelling vouchers have been increased from 25 to 30.

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The authority over the salaries and allowances of parliament members has been shifted from the federal government to the finance committee of each respective house, marking a notable change in governance. INP