PA highlights poor pay and overcrowded prison conditions

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Wednesday expressed concern over what members described as inadequate salaries for employees of the Zakat and Ushr Department and the worsening overcrowding in prisons across the province.

The sitting, chaired by Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, focused heavily on the department’s pay structure during the question hour. Lawmakers said the wages being paid to some employees were too low and warned that such conditions could create problems at the lower administrative level.

During the proceedings, the House was told that some clerks were receiving salaries of only Rs20,240 per month. The speaker questioned how employees could manage their expenses on that amount and described the situation as a violation of basic rights. He also dismissed the argument that fewer working hours could justify lower salaries.

The speaker directed that the matter be sent to the Zakat and Ushr Committee. The committee has been asked to submit a detailed report in the next session and clarify the legal status of the employees as well.

Lawmaker Amjad Ali Javed said low salaries could drive workers towards corruption, while other members called for stronger financial assistance for deserving groups, especially students.

The session began after a delay of 55 minutes. Proceedings opened with prayers for martyred Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Hussain before the House took up questions related to the Zakat and Ushr Department.

During the sitting, the speaker also said welfare measures including the Rahmat Card were drawing a strong public response, adding that more than 200,000 applications had been received so far.

Prison overcrowding discussed

In a separate discussion, members of the assembly highlighted overcrowding in Punjab’s prisons. Lawmakers said 45 jails in the province, with a combined capacity of around 38,000 inmates, were currently holding more than 71,000 prisoners.

Treasury member Tahira Mushtaq drew attention to conditions in individual prisons. She said Adiala Jail was housing around 8,000 inmates despite having capacity for just over 2,000, while Bahawalpur Jail was holding 770 prisoners against space for only 176.

Parliamentary Secretary Khalid Ranjha acknowledged the overcrowding issue and told the House that new prisons were being built to help address the problem. Members also raised concerns over insufficient medical facilities for prisoners.

The proceedings were briefly interrupted when opposition lawmaker Shoaib Amir pointed out a lack of quorum. The session later resumed after the required number of members was completed, with Samiullah Khan in the chair.