The recent two-day Speakers Conference focused heavily on increasing perks, privileges, and powers for speakers and the Senate chairman, alongside discussions about strengthening Parliament.
Legislative commitments were made to secure these demands, with participants asserting that such measures would enhance parliamentary authority.
Speakers from provincial assemblies proposed immunity from arrest and trial for themselves and their deputies during their tenure, similar to exemptions granted to the president and governors.
Read More: Meezan Bank Issues Advisory to Protect Against Fraud
They also called for legislation granting speakers and deputy speakers the role of acting prime minister and chief minister, respectively, during the absence of these officeholders.
Another significant demand was that accountability for financial irregularities in assemblies should rest with the principal accounting officer rather than speakers or deputy speakers.
Additionally, they sought blue passports for themselves and their families, matching privileges already afforded to members of the National Assembly and Senate.
The speakers further demanded that their salaries and benefits be equal to those of high court judges and requested tax exemptions on these earnings.
Proponents argued that such changes are necessary to reflect the importance of their roles and to ensure a strong, independent Parliament. These proposals have sparked debate over the balance between empowering parliamentary leadership and ensuring accountability.
