ISLAMABAD, Aug 16: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani on Saturday approved the pay package for officers and staff recruited from the private sector for the execution of projects funded by the Public Sector Development Programme.

The package, moved for approval by the Planning Commission, will come into effect immediately and will cover all PSDP projects, said an official announcement.

However, it did not say anything about appointments on exorbitant salaries under MP-1, MP-2 and MP-3 packages.

The pay package is said to be market-based and is expected to attract highly-qualified and skilled professionals as project directors, advisers and consultants.

The salient features of the package as notified by the Finance Division are based on the CDWP recommendations and include 10 categories with highest being placed between Rs150,000 and Rs200,000 and the lowest between Rs7,000 and Rs10,000 a month with five per cent annual increment.

Employees will be appointed on a two-year contract which will be extendable till the completion of the project based on performance evaluation.