Tuesday, July 4 2006 12:13 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Waiving all requirements of rules of procedure, legislators in Pakistan's Punjab assembly have given themselves a 15 percent hike in salaries and perks.

The Punjab assembly Monday passed a bill allowing substantial increase in the salaries and allowances of its members, especially those holding the portfolios of minister and parliamentary secretary.

The assembly passed the Punjab Revision of Emoluments of Public Representatives Bill, 2006, to enhance salaries and perks of the members amid protests from a few legislators from the opposition benches.

The Nation newspaper said the entire exercise of drafting, vetting and other procedures relating to a bill, which usually takes months, and in some cases, years to complete, was concluded in a record period of just five days.

With the passage of the bill, an assembly member would be getting around Rs.45,800 per month, a parliamentary secretary Rs.95,000, chief minister Rs.150,000, deputy speaker Rs.123,000, and speaker Rs.125,000, depending upon certain variations with regard to petrol allowance.

The newspaper said the assembly has proved that where there is a will, there is a way.