In a bold move during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting on Tuesday, committee member Sanaullah Mastikhel called for complete transparency regarding the salaries and perks received by members of parliament, Grade-22 bureaucrats, military generals, and judges.
The session, chaired by PAC Chairman Junaid Akbar Khan, turned momentarily lighthearted when Mastikhel remarked, “Everything will be revealed for good,” stressing the need to separate truth from perception regarding who benefits most from state resources.
Mastikhel questioned why only parliamentarians' details were made public while similar records for other elite groups remained concealed. "Details of the benefits and salaries received by lawmakers, Grade 22 officers, generals, and judges should also be shared," he remarked.
“Mr chairman, please give directions. Or are you afraid too?” he quipped, prompting laughter from the chairman and fellow PAC members.
He added, “This will reveal whether only politicians are corrupt or others as well. I’m ready to face any consequences for raising this demand.”
PAC Chairman Junaid Akbar also expressed dissatisfaction with incomplete disclosures. He said he had sought Toshakhana records, but only received data pertaining to lawmakers.
“I was told the gifts given to others go straight to their homes — that’s why I didn’t make any of it public either,” said Junaid Akbar.
