Pay-raise decision set for revision

ISLAMABAD - An MQM delegation led by Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Farooq Sattar called on Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at his Parliament House Chamber on Friday.
The Prime Minister said that economic revival of the country was on the top of his government’s agenda and asked the parliamentarians to give maximum suggestions during budget debate. He expressed confidence that the steps taken in the budget 2009-10 would provide much-needed relief to the people. He said the government was taking steps for meeting energy needs of the country by setting up new power plants as well as by encouraging conservation.
The delegation informed the Prime Minister that public at large, particularly the trading community, had hailed the announcement made by the Prime Minister regarding abolition of proposed carbon tax on CNG. They also informed the Prime Minister about matters relating the KESC as well as the development programmes in their constituencies.
Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance, Shaukat Tarin, and Minister of State for Finance and Economic Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar, were also present during the meeting and they discussed with the delegation the suggestions given by it on next year’s budget.
Other members of the delegation included MNAs Salahuddin, Khawaja Sohail Mansoor, Abdul Qadir Khanzada, Abdul Wasim, Sheikh Salahuddin, Sufwan Yusuf, Dr Nadeen Ehsan, Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi, Dr Muhammad Ayub Sheikh, Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan, Syed Tayyab Hussain and Abdul Rashid.
APP adds: Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Farooq Sattar Friday said the salaries of government employees from Grade-1 to 16 would be increased by 20 per cent.
Addressing a Press conference at the Parliament House, the MQM leader said he held a meeting with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Advisor to Prime Minister Shaukat Tarin along with a delegation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to discuss the Finance Bill 2009-10.