Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The issue of fixing salaries of local government representatives has been postponed following a protest.

The 12th session of the Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad (MCI) was held at Pak-China Friendship Centre and was chaired by Islamabad Mayor Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Sheikh Anser Aziz.

Earlier, a committee had been formed to decide the honorarium for the local representatives. The committee, headed by Qazi Adil Advocate, presented its suggestions.

“The mayor and deputy mayors will receive Rs 125,000 and Rs 100,000 respectively. The UC chairmen and other MCI members elected on indirect seats will receive Rs 80,000 per month. The honorarium for vice chairmen and councillors will be Rs 40,000 and Rs 20,000, respectively,” Qazi said.

But, he was interrupted by opposition members, who said that he had ignored their recommendations, including suggestion to reduce the mayor and deputy mayors’ salaries.

Earlier, a group of vice chairmen and councillors had staged a demonstration outside the meeting venue and accused the mayor of discrimination in fixing their salaries and demanded an increase.

UC Chairman Sardar Mehtab Khan criticised the protesters. “It is the prerogative of this house to approve or fix the salaries under the Local Government Act. Nobody from outside this house can force or blackmail us,” he said.

He demanded that the protesters drop their agenda of protests. “They are political workers and should resolve the problems of general public instead of enjoying perks and privileges,” he said.

UC chairmen Chaudhry Manzoor and Malik Sajid supported Khan. However, some other members opposed them. They said that it was not a personal issue, but a legal requirement.

Shaikh Ansar Aziz said that the matter would be decided in consultation with all stakeholders. He deferred the issue till the next meeting of the MCI.

He asked the committee chairman to address the grievances of UCs vice chairmen and councillors and also announced that he would not receive any pay even if it was approved by the house.

The meeting also discussed the water supply situation in the city. Members asked for more resources to improve and revamp the existing water supply infrastructure. The construction of Chirrah Dam, Japan Dam and Bhara Kahu Dam also came under discussion.

Shaikh Anser Aziz constituted a committee to submit its recommendations for spending the amount deducted from salaries of employees on government residential accommodations.

The committee also discussed allotment of plots in various sectors for dispensaries, hospitals, libraries and other civic amenities.

Meanwhile, a resolution for expressing confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was approved.

The resolution stated that the house reposed full confidence in the PM and it fully endorsed the steps taken by him for the prosperity and development of the country.