Legislators grumble about PM’s call to forgo pay

Pakistani parliamentarians from both ruling and opposition parties are resisting PM Shehbaz Sharif's directive to forgo two months of their salaries as an austerity measure amid rising global oil prices. Lawmakers are calling the order unconstitutional 'dictation,' with many refusing to comply after a form was issued allowing them to opt out. The austerity package was announced in response to economic pressures from the Middle East conflict and global oil crisis.