While the country doesn’t have enough resources to treat its rising number of coronavirus patients, the Senate has taken a shocking move that is an offense to Pakistani taxpayers.
On Tuesday, the Senate’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue unanimously approved a bill that allowed the family members of parliamentarians to avail 25 business class domestic air tickets, besides Rs. 300,000 in annual travel vouchers.
They have been given free air travel privilege when the economy is registering negative growth for the second time in Pakistani history.
It is pertinent to note that the government could not increase its employees’ salaries due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Is this a way to mock the people who have been paying taxes just so their money could be used on parliamentarians and their family?
Unbelievable – a perk worth lacs of rupees given to parliamentarians whilst we are in middle of an economic crunch, millions have lost jobs, incomes and taken salary cuts. 😡😡https://t.co/sUCP0nn33S via @Profitpk
— Najma Minhas (@MinhasNajma) June 17, 2020
Perks of Being An Elite?
Justifying the facilities for parliamentarians, committee chairman Senator Farooq Hamid Naek (PPP) remarked, “all parliamentarians are not rich.” He claimed that Members of Parliament (Salaries and Allowances) Amendment Bill 2020, would not have an additional burden on the national exchequer since “changes were only made in the procedures.”
It is being reported that Parliamentary Affair Adviser Dr. Babar Awan (PTI) presented a bill in the Senate seeking free air travel privilege extended to parliamentarians’ families.
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Almost all the political parties were present in the committee and have signed this bill. So basically, what they are trying to tell us is that they have money for protocols and traveling in luxurious cars, but they are ‘not rich’ when it comes to buy an airplane ticket?
In the past, we have seen the struggles of lawyers and doctors who had to come out on the streets to get the money they deserved. But unfortunately, the country does not have enough money to pay them for their work. What are we trying to preach over here?
This does not make sense. I am curious to know who tabled this bill? Telling the rest of the country to tighten their belts & do this. Who foots the cost of these tickets?
Senate body approves free air travel for parliamentarians families. https://t.co/nNWt5l1gtW
— Fakhr-e-Alam S.I & S.E (@falamb3) June 18, 2020
It should also be mentioned that PIA has been losing 6 Billion Rupees every month due to the coronavirus restrictions and operational inefficiencies. On that matter, PM Imran Khan clearly said that if it continues to go this way, then the people will have to face the burden of billions of rupees.
So why did the Senate pass this bill during such a crucial time? Were they not aware of the situation or the losses or were they trying to benefit from the situation knowing it all?
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What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
This is Criminal act on the part of Senate Members. It Reflects the Mentality of these So Called Public Represtatives of the Upper House. In All honesty Senators are showing their Selfishness & Disconnect from General Public & Hardships Nation is Facing in Covid – 19 situation. It seems that Senate Members are Trying to Squeeze Benefits for themselves out of the Federal Government of PTI in Particular & Public in General during these Tough Times when everyone is ready to blame Federal Government. The timing of the bill suggests either they Don’t Care for the People of Pakistan or they thought that it is the Right Time to get Such Perks Approved because the PTI Federal Government is Already Nailed to the Wall with Covid – 19 & Economy Slowdown they will not be WILLING TO PICK ANOTHER FIGHT WITH SENATE ON THESE TRAVEL PERKS. These Senators are proving no less then the Vultures circling half dead creature in the desert. They ALL SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES. How can they see their own faces everyday in the Mirror, when they know that we need to Cut Expenses & Save Resources. We need every dime to ignite Spark in our Economy. I wish it does not come down to a stage when People Loose Faith in Senate as their Represtatives, protecting the Rights of the People of Pakistan & Not their own benefits. At present, scale seemed tilted towards the Benefits of Sitting Senators with No Benefit coming out from that house for the People of Pakistan.
Fing laanat to our fed govt. To the senate to all parliamentary members . Kill yourself .
Looters and plundrers
The poorest of the poors are the Pakistani senators because their mantality is poor. What they have done for the general public.
Furthermore, their is no clarification about the facility whether it’s within Pakistan or abroad too.
What is left to comment on? And will it make any difference? The public keeps reading about ever new ,astonishing bills and acts of the rulers of the country. When those custodians of the nation with the consent of the khaleefa e waqt are resolved to plunder and loot the peace of their very own people, who voted them to this position; then who can we call for help except the ‘ neighbor ‘ or the
Zion. Have Mercy, our Lord in Heaven and close to our very shaa-rugg.
What good writing and rowding about corruption, bribing, dress indecency, raping, taping, plundering, blundering, molestations, child labor, domestic violence, immorality in totality? No good, no good! When in broad daylight we are being looted at the hands of those who were sent there to alleviate our problems and sorrows?
چور تو ہمارا ، ہمارے اندر ہی بیٹھا ہے۔ اسے باہر کہاں ڈھونڈتے پھریں گے؟
اور باہر والا دشمن ہمارا کچھ بگاڑ ہی نہیں سکتا اگر چور ہمارے اندر نہ ہو۔
گورنر بلوچستان کا کہنا ہے کہ، اوپر سے لے کر نیچے تک سب حصہ لیتے ہیں تو کام آگے بڑھتا ہے۔ ہر ایک کو اپنا کمیشن درکار ہوتا ہے کسی بھی کام کی اپروول کے لئے۔ جہاز لینا ہو، یا آبدوز خریدنی ہو، سٹیل مل لگانی ہو یا کوئی امپورٹ ایکسپورٹ ہو؛ ہر کام کی پروگریس اس کے کمیشن پر مبنی ہوتی ہے۔ جتنا زیادہ کمیشن، اتنا جلدی کام ۔
لعنت بھیجیں ان ہر۔ گھر کے چور ہی کافی ہیں ۔