THIS is with reference to the report “NA speaker notifies 300pc hike in lawmakers’ pay” (Feb 1), according which, the salaries of federal legislators have now gone up to Rs519,000 per month. If this is not an act condemnable, what is?

The government and the opposition fight over just about everything, but there is complete agreement on increasing the salaries. Such measures are tantamount to rubbing salt into the wounds of the people.

In terms of perks and privileges, the lawmakers get 25 business class air tickets, a blue passport, and free railway travel facilities, as well as a number of allowances, taking the actual burden on the national exchequer well beyond the million mark per legislator.

These members, having been elected by the poor, do not even bother to attend assembly sessions regularly. They have become a financial liability on the treasury. The poor continue to live their oppressed lives. There is not a single government office where bribery and corruption are not prevalent.

At just about the time when the law-makers gave themselves a hefty, undes-erved pay-raise, the government, as if to cover the expenses, started talking about an increase in electricity tariffs, putting an additional burden of Rs1.68 billion on the people.

The life of the common man is seriously miserable in the face of hyperinflation and its consequences. And, that being so, the increment in the salaries of the legislators is nothing but a crude joke.

Muhammad Imran ul Haq
Lahore

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2025