PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly proposes lifetime perks and VIP status for Speaker and Deputy Speaker—Is it fair?) Assembly has started the process of legislation aimed at enhancing the benefits, security and legal protection for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. The Special Standing Committee of the Assembly has presented an amendment report in the house, recommending a substantial increase in their privileges.
According to the details, the proposed amendments to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker’s Privileges and Allowances Act have been unanimously approved. The committee held meetings on April 6 and 13, with both government and opposition members participating, resulting in joint recommendations.
The report suggests a boost in the allowances and funds for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, including transferring discretionary fund control to the Finance Committee. Additionally, the proposal recommends VIP protocol for official visits to other provinces, as well as granting the Speaker three government vehicles, enhanced security, and police personnel.
The amendments also propose allowing the Speaker to take two private staff members during foreign trips, instead of just one, and providing them with lifetime benefits, including a private secretary, assistant, driver, cook, and peon. Former Speakers would also be entitled to retain the title of “former Speaker” for life.
Among the most crucial proposals is legal protection for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, requiring the Speaker’s consent for any action or arrest against them, as well as a ban on raids at their residences.
Some of the other recommendations included in the report include the provision of B-category security to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, as well as the provision of two security personnel for each assembly member, due to enhanced security concerns in the present scenario.
Whereas, concerning salary hikes, it must be noted that the intention behind this amendment is not an increase in salary but better facilities for the members, since salaries currently paid to the members were 80,000 PKR and a session allowance of 1,000 PKR.
Historically, the assembly was treated as a sub-division of the organization, however, due to amendments in laws in 2024, the situation was clarified. It must also be kept in mind that the purpose of the entire amendment process is the provision of legal protection and enhanced facilities to members.
CM Afridi’s visit to Muzaffarabad: What is the actual cost of the helicopter ride?
Meanwhile, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sohail Afridi is set to attend a scheduled protest in Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, on April 25. For the journey, the CM has paid a staggering Rs. 840,000 for a helicopter ride.
According to Shafi Jan, the Special Assistant to the CM for Information, the Chief Minister will fly to Muzaffarabad through a helicopter to take part in the street movement organized on the said date. In addition, the spokesperson revealed that the CM has borne all costs related to the helicopter ride out of his party’s money, thereby avoiding any involvement of public funds in political matters.
In addition, he noted that the KP CM will remain true to the values of transparency and accountability, as was always envisioned by the founding chairman. According to him, the founding chairman had always viewed public funds as a sacred trust, and he never failed to handle them in a responsible manner.
It may be recalled that there have been instances of misuse of government resources for political motives lately. Nonetheless, the KP government has made it clear that all costs associated with the travel have been met from private resources.
