PA condemns APS tragedy with tribute to martyrs

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly (PA) unanimously passed the resolution condemning the Army Public School, Peshawar tragedy of 2014 on Monday, and the same day, MPAs passed a bill that increased their salaries.

In the PA session, held with Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan in the chair, a resolution moved by PMLN MPA Raheela Khadim Hussein demanded exemplary punishment for the perpetrators of this heinous act in which innocent students and school staff were martyred by the terrorists.

The resolution stated that such incidents could not terrify the nation. The resolution also paid rich tribute to the teachers and 124 students martyred 10 years ago in the tragedy.Besides, the Punjab Assembly passed the Punjab Revision of Salaries of Public Representatives 2024. Opposition leader Ahmad Khan Bachar raised objections to the Bill but Speaker PA termed it as per the 1972 Parliamentary Act. Speaker PA Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan remarked that the Bill was a right and constitutional step.

According to sources, the salaries of Speaker, MPAs, Advisors and Special Assistants to the CM have been increased manifold with the passage of the Punjab Revision of Salaries of Public Representatives Bill 2024.

According to the Bill: “The perks including salaries and allowances of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, MPAs, Parliamentary Secretaries, Advisors, Special Assistants and Ministers are governed by their respective laws and every time, a revision in their perks is needed, relevant laws were required to be amended by the Assembly. An increase in their salary was made in 2019 and the emoluments drawn by them are “very low” and “inadequate” in the prevailing circumstances. Therefore, an increase in their salary is proposed.”