ISLAMABAD: The Standing Committee for Parliamentary Affairs in National Assembly has approved an amendment draft in Parliament’s rules and procedures code which will enable the reimbursement of air tickets to parliamentarians.

Earlier, lawmakers had approached the NA Speaker and asked for the amendment. The speaker then drafted a proposal allowing to monetise the local air travel for parliamentarians after which the MPs will now be given an amount equivalent to 24 intercity air tickets every year.

Lawmakers will not be bound to travel through Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) anymore, thus depriving the national carrier of Rs350 million per annum.

It has been decided to give money to members of Parliament for which a proposal for amendments in legal procedures has been prepared by the government, a copy of which is available with DawnNews.

The proposal suggests that parliamentarians should be given money equivalent to 24 business class air tickets. In addition to this, the lawmakers will also be allowed to travel in airlines other than the national carrier.

According to the proposed amendment, the parliamentarians will be reimbursed the air fare even if they don’t travel by air, which amounts to about Rs1.8 million. They will also be allowed to travel by any medium of transportation they prefer.

The lawmakers who are residents of the federal capital or nearby areas, will be given Rs0.3million in terms of transportation allowance, the proposal suggests.

The national carrier received Rs350 million per annum in this regard. However, after the approval of this amendment this funding to PIA will be slashed.

The approved amendment proposal will now be presented before the NA Speaker, who will then ask the law ministry to make the amendment and notify the NA Standing Committee.