NA body for 150 pc executive AllowANce to thousANds of federAl eNgiNeers

ISLAMABAD Ghulam abbas whilethe country is facing historic financial crunch, the federal government has approved 150 per cent executive Allowance for hundreds of BS 17-22 employees working in the Federal Secretariat and administration of islamabad Capital Territory.

To add fuel to the fire, the National Standing Committee on Government Assurances on Monday recommended similar allowances to thousands of engineers serving various departments of the federal government – despite the fact that prime minister has announced austerity measures for the federal and provincial governments.

During a meeting of the National Standing Committee on Government Assurances, which was chaired by MNA

Muhammad Afzal Khokhar, the committee recommended giving the 150 percent allowances to over 3550 engineers.

The engineers seeking the allowance included around 1400 of the federal government and 2150 engineers of the air force and navy. According to an official, the number of engineers may go up to 6000 if all the engineers of army and civilians under central government are included.

fiA summons fawad chaudhry over Maryam tweet

ISLAMABAD staff RepoRt

The Federal investigation Agency (FiA) has summoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf (PTi) stalwart Fawad Chaudhry on March 17 for his tweet accusing PMl-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz of giving a watch from Toshakhana to a citizen, says in media reports. Following that tweet, Maryam Nawaz had announced to file a complaint in FiA cybercrime wing. Fawad Chaudhry was summoned on the complaint of the citizen Raja haroon.

ecp urged to appoint dros, ros from judiciary

LAHoRe staff RepoRt

Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf (PTi) has urged the election Commission of Pakistan (eCP) to appoint district returning officers (DROs) and returning officers (ROs) from the lower judiciary for the Punjab elections. Shah Mahmood Qureshi in a letter requested the eCP to appoint DROs and ROs from the lower judiciary under Sections 50 and 51 of the election Act 2017. The letter has been given reference of article 2018 of Pakistan in the letter sent to the eCP. The letter further states that the appointment of DROs and ROs from the judiciary is important for impartial elections. earlier, sources said that for Punjab by-polls after the dissolution of the assembly, the election Commission of Pakistan (eCP) has decided to appoint returning officers (ROs) and deputy returning officers (DROs) from the judiciary. Sources said that the eCP decided to appoint ROs and DROs from the judiciary. The eCP requested the Supreme Court (SC) for the ordering the subordinate courts to provide the workforce for Punjab by-polls.

Pakistan Braces For Intense Heatwave During Summer Season

ISLAMABAD staff RepoRt

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a warning that the country is expected to experience higher-than-usual temperatures during the upcoming summer season, with an intense heat wave predicted for Marchto May. According to the Met Office, the heat’s intensity is expected to be more than normal due to less-than-normal rainfall. The PMD reported a 77 percent decrease in rainfall in February, resulting in an average day and night temperatures of 3 to 5 degrees Celsius higher than normal. As a result, temperatures are predicted to be higher than usual not only for March but also for April and May. Previously, the average temperature during March was recorded as up to 26C, with a slight increase observed last year. however, this year’s temperatures are expected to be even higher, with the PMD forecasting an intense heat wave in the coming months. The PMD has advised people to take necessary precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses and stay hydrated during the summer season. it has also urged the government to take necessary measures to mitigate the effects of the heat wave and minimize its impact on the population. As Pakistan braces itself for the upcoming summer season, it is crucial for authorities and citizens alike to remain vigilant and take necessary steps to protect themselves from the anticipated extreme temperatures.

During the meeting, while discussing the pending issue of executive (engineering) allowances to federal engineers, the officials from the Finance Division claimed that the move would burden the government budget. however the committee recommended the allowances keeping in view that the engineers in provinces and CDA were already getting similar allowances. it was briefed that the assurance to engineers was given by former MNA and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad during a previous meeting of the committee. it may be mentioned here that while the common Pakistanis are being burdened with new taxes and price hike of basic commodities, the federal government was notifying various allowances to the officials. Following the approval of the Prime Minister, the Finance Division had issued OM No.10(02)R-3/2018-297 regarding grant of executive Allowance to BS 17-22 officers working in the Federal Secretariat and islamabad Capital Territory field Administration. in continuation of Finance Division’s July 19, 2022, it was directed to convey the approval of the Prime Minister for admissibility of executive Allowance to all BPS 17-22 officers, (excluding Private Secretaries), posted/working in the Federal Secretariat, as defined in the Rules of

Business 1973, as well as Prime Minister’s Office and President Secretariat w.e.f. January 01, 2023. Meanwhile the committee, while discussing the Payment of honorarium to the employees of PTV, PiD and iCT Police who actually worked during the Budget Session of 2022-23 in the precincts of the Assembly, shown its displeasure over nonpayment of honorarium to employees of PTV. The committee was informed that employees of PiD were given the announced honorarium however the process of disbursing the same to employees of PTV was pending since the funds have not been released by the Finance Division so far.