ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on its farewell day approved a billseeking massive increase in the salary of President Mamnoon Hussain as wellas perks and privileges given to the Head of the State.
Introduced by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, thebill suggested that the president’s salary be increased to Rs846,550 fromRs133,333.
The opposition had strongly opposed the bill vehemently when it was tabledon May 24. But during the farewell session, the Opposition didn’t raise anyhue and cry and let the proposed legislation sailed through the House.
Opposition Leader Syed Khursheed Shah said passing a bill on the last dayof the government was an unusual practice which should be avoided. He,however, did not resist its passage.
A similar response was given by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief whipDr Shireen Mazari who opposed the bill but allowed its passage.
On Wednesday, the Senate Standing Committee on Finance during an emergencymeeting approved with a majority vote the bill seeking to increase thepresident’s salary amidst opposition’s protest.
The committee headed by former law minister Farooq Naek of the PakistanPeoples Party approved the bill with a majority vote after the oppositionmembers termed the move to present the bill before the committeeunconstitutional and illegal.
On May 24, the opposition had protested in the lower house over thegovernment’s move to introduce the bill seeking an exorbitant increase ofover 530 per cent in the president’s salary.