ISLAMABAD: Murtaza Solangi, the Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, provided an update to the Senate regarding the payment of salaries to Khateebs and Moazzins associated with mosques under the administrative purview of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM).
In response to a calling attention notice raised by Senator Kamran Murtaza regarding concerns of retrenchment and salary non-payment affecting 32 Khateebs/Moazzins, Solangi clarified the situation.
According to Solangi, the administration of Pakistan Steel Mills has utilized funds to ensure the payment of the last four months’ salaries to Khateebs and Moazzins. He explained that a mosque committee affiliated with PSM had employed 37 individuals for these roles, and their salaries were being sustained through contributions from Pakistan Steel employees.
The minister elaborated on the challenges faced by PSM, noting that a downsizing process initiated in 2021 had reduced the workforce from 8,600 to 3,000 employees. Consequently, the decline in the employee count led to a decrease in the collection of funds designated for salaries, impacting the ability to pay the designated mosque staff.
Solangi highlighted that an amount of Rs. 134,000 is typically collected from Steel Mill employees for this purpose. However, the diminished collection made it difficult to meet the salary obligations of the 37 Khateebs and Moazzins. As a result, the contracts of 32 individuals in these positions could not be renewed due to financial constraints.
Assuring prompt action, Solangi assured the Senate that decisions regarding the contracts of the affected 32 scholars and Moazzins would be made promptly once the necessary funds are accumulated. This statement reflects the commitment of Pakistan Steel Mills to address the salary concerns of mosque staff and uphold its obligations to its employees.
