LAHORE: Former chief minister Usman Buzdar of the PTI on Friday again approached the Lahore High Court against non-provision of security and perks by the Punjab government led by Hamza Shehbaz of the PML-N.

Buzdar filed a civil miscellaneous application in his main petition already pending with the court on the issue.

Buzdar’s counsel Azhar Siddique contended that the petitioner, being a former CM, was entitled to the perks and privileges under Section 21-A of the Punjab Ministers (Salaries, Allowances and Privileges) Act 1975. However, he said, despite a requisition submitted to the government, the petitioner was being treated in a “discriminatory manner”.

Bill abolishes perks, privileges approved by PTI-led govt

He said the vehicles provided to the petitioner under the head of security were malfunctioning and defective and the government had also refused to provide the former CM with police personnel and other perks that were his right under the law.

In a related development, the Punjab Assembly session being held at the Aiwan-i-Iqbal passed a bill abolishing various perks and privileges approved by the Buzdar-led government for former CMs and ministers. The session also passed the Punjab Local Government Bill 2022.

The Buzdar government had allowed deployment of two vehicles of Elite Force as security cover and appointment of five officers, two of them at least in BS-17, as assistants to the former chief ministers.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2022