There is up to 76 percent increase in lawmakers' allowances. Does the country's economic situation warrant such increases? No, there is hardly room for increasing the government expenditure because of the present woeful situation. We don't have enough money to even make payment of interest against external loans. Not only are country's foreign exchange reserves dwindling, the current account deficit is also widening. Unfortunately, however, the government has increased ordinary and special allowances of parliamentarians, including Chairman and Deputy Chairman Senate and Speaker and Deputy Speakers of National Assembly by 76.6 percent and 71.5 percent, respectively.
The decision was taken at a meeting of federal cabinet held on February 20, 2018, presided over by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi just three months before the incumbent National Assembly completing its term whereas 50 percent members of Senate are retiring on 11 March 2018, according to a Business Recorder news item. This is highly inappropriate. The federal cabinet must revisit its decision immediately.
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