The members of the Senate on Friday in a brisk move passed a bill allowing them raise in salaries and allowances, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Senator Sarfraz Bugti moved the amendment bill regarding the salaries and allowances of the members of the Upper House of the Parliament.

The upper house of the parliament also approved the Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Amendment bill.

It is pertinent to note that the National Assembly had already approved the extension of the Power Transmission Distribution and Generation Ordinance by 120 days. However, the opposition walked out from the Upper House of the parliament to record their protest against the bill.

37% lost jobs due to Covid

The Federal Minister of Planning and Development on Friday informed the Senate that 37 percent of Pakistanis lost their jobs due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic has affected the country’s economy like other parts of the world, he said.

The figures collected to know the socioeconomic impact due to COVID-19 were revealed by the ministry during question-hour in the Senate.

The ministry said 49 percent (27.31 million) of people belonging to the working class were affected due to COVID. As many as 7 percent of the workforce lost their jobs and were unable to find a replacement.

The highest unemployment due to COVID-19 was reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where about 55 percent of the working class lost their jobs or their income was reduced.

Fateha for Mamnoon, Mir Ahmad Bugti
The Senate also offered Fateha for the departed souls of former President Mamnoon Hussain and former Member of National Assembly Mir Ahmad Khan Bugti.

Senate Chairman requested Senator Maulana Faiz Muhammad to lead Fateha for late President Mamnoon Hussain and former MNA Mir Ahmad Bugti.

The Upper House prayed Almighty Allah to rest the departed souls in eternal peace.

Reporter Usman Khan