Body clears bills allowing perks for parliamentarians' family members.

Byline: Khaleeq Kiani

ISLAMABAD -- The Senate StanAding Committee on Finance and Revenue on Tuesday unanimously cleared a bill that allows the family members of all parliamentarians to avail 25 unutilised business class domestic air tickets, besides Rs300,000 annual travel vouchers.

Presided over by Senator Farooq Hamid Naek, the committee approved the 'Members of Parliament (Salaries and Allowances) Amendment Bill, 2020' to make changes in a similar act of 1974.

Mr Naek told media persons that the change in the bill would not have additional burden on the national exchequer as only the procedure had been changed. He said all members of the upper house of parliament were not rich people.

According to a statement of objects and reasons for the bill, the parliamentary affairs division explained that Section 10 of the Members of Parliament (Salary and Allowances) Act, 1974, was regulating the free travel privilege of the parliamentarians. Members are entitled to 25 business class open return air tickets per annum from the airport nearest to their constituencies to Islamabad.

In addition, vouchers of Rs300,000 are also provided for travelling by air or train by parliamentarians as well as their family members during a year. The...