Despite Resignations from Standing Committees, Official Vehicles Still in Use by PTI Parliamentarians

Islamabad (Staff Reporter): Several official vehicles remain in the possession of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members of the National Assembly despite their resignations from the Standing Committees of the National Assembly. According to sources, several PTI lawmakers are still availing themselves of the facilities they were entitled to as chairmen of these committees, including official cars and a monthly petrol quota of 320 litres. Sources further revealed that each committee chairman is provided with a driver, a naib qasid (assistant), and a personal assistant (PA). The PTI/Sunni Ittehad Council currently holds the chairmanship of eight standing committees. Lawmakers including Muhammad Atif, Junaid Akbar, Khawaja Shiraz, and Aamir Dogar were among those enjoying these privileges. Meanwhile, when PTI lawmaker Sanaullah Mastikhel arrived at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in an official vehicle today, he was asked why he and other members had not returned the vehicles and facilities even after resigning from the committees. In response, Sanaullah Mastikhel said he had returned the vehicle, but the Speaker of the National Assembly refused to take it back. “The Speaker said that until the resignations are formally accepted, the vehicles cannot be withdrawn,” he explained. Sanaullah Mastikhel further stated, “We are followers of the instructions of the founder of PTI (Imran Khan). We are striving for his release. These privileges mean nothing to us.” He added that they had submitted their resignations from the committees and that their colleagues were standing firm despite facing difficulties. The issue has raised questions about the status of perks and privileges of lawmakers who have resigned from important parliamentary positions but continue to use official resources.