Parliament’s Cafeteria: A Look at the Food Prices for MPs and Staff

There has always been talk about the lavish lifestyle of parliamentarians, with people assuming they enjoy special discounts on hotel bills, air tickets, and other services. To explore this, an investigation was conducted into the food prices available in the cafeterias of the Parliament House and whether MPs and the general public are offered the same prices.

According to a senior officer at Parliament House, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the cafeteria services are provided by private catering companies. For the past nine months, the contract was held by “Olive Caterers,” but after January 11, it was transferred to a private company based in Lahore.

The prices at the cafeteria are set by a committee, and any increase in rates requires prior approval from the same committee. There are two cafeterias within Parliament House: one is for MPs and their guests, and the other, located on the lower floor, is for the staff of the National Assembly. The rates in the staff cafeteria are generally lower than those for the MPs’ cafeteria.

The cafeteria for parliamentarians offers around 50 different food items, including Chinese, Pakistani, and BBQ dishes. The prices at this cafeteria are as follows: a club sandwich costs 400 PKR, a chicken burger is priced at 375 PKR, chicken karahi costs 1600 PKR, mutton karahi is 3000 PKR, and chicken biryani is available for 350 PKR. Additionally, daal mash (for two people) is priced at 285 PKR, and vegetables are also 285 PKR.

BBQ items include 9 pieces of chicken wings for 750 PKR, reshmi kebab at 385 PKR, and 9 pieces of fish tikka for 795 PKR. Chinese dishes such as chicken Manchurian are available for 525 PKR, chicken chili dry for 500 PKR, and chicken fried rice for 320 PKR.

For breakfast, a paratha costs 70 PKR, 2 bread slices with jam and butter are priced at 175 PKR, a fried egg is 60 PKR, and an omelette is 75 PKR. Other items include plain naan at 25 PKR, oily naan at 30 PKR, kalonji naan at 65 PKR, and cheese naan at 125 PKR. Salads include a green salad for 125 PKR, Russian salad for 235 PKR, and raita or mint sauce at 95 PKR.

Soups are available for 150 PKR, French fries for 150 PKR, 6 pieces of fish fingers for 750 PKR, a cup of tea costs 100 PKR, while coffee is priced at 175 PKR. Fresh juices and shakes are 250 PKR. Desserts include kheer for 150 PKR, fruit trifle for 150 PKR, and 2 pieces of chocolate brownies for 175 PKR.

On the other hand, the cafeteria for the staff offers simpler prices: a plate of daal for 130 PKR, chicken qorma for 230 PKR, chicken pulao for 250 PKR, paratha for 60 PKR, omelette for 70 PKR, and tea for 60 PKR.

This pricing difference showcases the disparity between the offerings available to parliamentarians and the regular staff members of the National Assembly.