THE federal cabinet has approved a staggering increase of up to 146 per cent in the salary of members of the parliament.
Being a pensioner myself, I was awaiting a substantialraise orrevisionin our pensions, and instead, got this news.
I have a right to ask for the justification for this phenomenal increase. Are these MP`s lowly paid? Are these people more poor than a low-paid pensioner, who gets a measly Rs5,250 per month from EOBI? This humble pensioner suggests that the lawmakers` current allowances and salaries be restored to the present level, and low-paid pensioners be given an adequate raise.
Abid Mahmud Ansari Islamabad (2) THE federal government is set to increase the parliamentarians` by a whopping 146 percent.Thisis a slapin theface ofthe teeming millions struggling to make both ends meet.
Barring a handful, it is an open secret that only those become members of parliament who have deep pockets which is evident from their ostentatious style of living and the luxurious vehicles they drive.
Furthermore, their performance inside parliament leaves much to be desired.
There is hardly any worthwhile debate on pressing national issues and often during the dour questions hour, the ministers are invariably missing from the chamber.
The decision to enhance the legislators` salaries amounts to rubbing salt into the wounds of those retired employees of various state organisations who are running from pillar to post to receive their long overdue retirement benefits.
