WEB DESK: Federal Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar provided an in-depth breakdown of the salaries, allowances, and perks granted to federal ministers in the senate session.
He shared that Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) receive a monthly salary of Rs156,000. However, despite their parliamentary role, no vehicles are allocated to them, and they are provided with a modest Rs8,000 per month for utility bills.
Minister Tarar further clarified that federal ministers earn around Rs200,000 per month, with a significant 95 per cent of them opting not to take the full salary. While ministers are entitled to a 1500cc car and 400 liters of petrol, they are responsible for covering their own electricity and gas expenses, as no additional official benefits are provided.
When questioned about the possibility of salary increases, Tarar acknowledged the economic challenges frequently cited by Parliament when discussing pay raises for public officials. He highlighted the importance of adhering to fiscal constraints in these discussions.
In addition to salary details, the interior ministry provided an update on the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra)’s adherence to austerity measures. It was reported that no vehicles have been purchased by Nadra in the last two years.
However, in 2022, Nadra did acquire 35 vehicles for operational purposes, including staff transportation options such as coaches and a bus, at a total cost of Rs264.3 million. Senator Dinesh Kumar raised concerns during the session regarding the use of luxury vehicles for these services, further highlighting the ongoing debate over public sector expenditures.
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