ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice and ordered inquiry following massive pay rise for National Assembly speaker and deputy speaker as well as Senate chairman and deputy chairman. A significant salary hike has sparked backlash, drawing sharp criticism from both political and public circles.
Their salaries have surged by an unprecedented 600%, from Rs205,000 to a staggering Rs1.95 million. The decision to increase salaries and perks for these high-ranking officials was approved by the federal government, with the PM’s office now investigating the matter after public backlash.
سپیکر ،ڈپٹی سپیکر چیئرمین سینیٹ، ڈپٹی چیئرمین سینیٹ کی تنخواہ میں اور مالی مراعات میں بے تحاشہ اضافہ مالی فحاشی کے زمرے میں آتا ھے۔ عام آدمی کی زندگی کو ذہن میں رکھیں ھماری تمام عزت آبرو اسکی مرھون منت ھے۔۔
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) June 11, 2025
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif condemned the increase, calling it “financial vulgarity” and emphasising that such increments were insensitive to the struggles of the common man. “We must remember that our dignity and honour depend on the well-being of the people,” he added.
In response to the criticism, the National Assembly and Senate secretariat clarified that these salary increments were not self-imposed by the officials in question but were approved by the federal government.
Sources from the secretariat noted that neither the NA speaker nor the Senate chairman could unilaterally raise their salaries, such changes require the consent of the prime minister and the cabinet.
Further complicating the issue, on May 29, a government notification was released detailing the revised salaries and allowances, including a 50% rise in discretionary allowances. According to the notification, approval for raise in salaries was given by the federal government.
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On the other hand, the recent budget presented by the government shows an increase in the salaries of parliamentarians and the federal cabinet compared to last year.
According to the budget documents, proposals have been made to allocate Rs16.29 billion for the National Assembly and Rs9.05 billion for the Senate.
Of this, Rs5.08 billion is allocated for the salaries and perks of members of the National Assembly, Rs2.58 billion for their salaries, Rs2.50 billion for travel expenses, and Rs2.17 billion for the budget of salaries and perks.
Additionally, Rs1.24 billion is proposed for the perks of committee chairpersons, and Rs393.4 million for the salaries and perks of NA speaker and deputy speaker.
Furthermore, Rs83.4 million is proposed for the salaries and perks of the opposition leader and their staff. For members of the Senate, Rs40 million is allocated for salaries and Rs106.38 million for their perks.
The salaries and benefits of the Senate chairman, deputy chairman, and their staff will be allocated Rs18.96 million, while the salaries and perks for Senate committee chairpersons will be allocated Rs144.33 million.
The government’s budget proposal also includes a doubling of the cabinet’s ongoing expenses. The budget for the salaries and benefits of cabinet members is proposed to increase from Rs35.18 million to Rs68.87 million.
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The budget for federal ministers and ministers of state is proposed to rise from Rs27 million to Rs50.54 million. The budget for the salaries and perks of the prime minister’s advisers is proposed to increase from Rs3.61 million to Rs6.31 million, while the budget for the salaries and perks of the prime minister’s special assistants is proposed to rise from Rs3.70 million to Rs11.34 million.
As per the amended Act for members of parliament in July 2024, their perks will include 30 air tickets per year (which can be carried over to the next year if unused and can be used by their families).
Additionally, they will receive allowances for attending National Assembly, Senate, and joint sessions three days before and three days after the sessions, as well as for attending standing and special committee meetings two days before and two days after.
They will also receive approximately Rs9,600 per day for additional expenses, Rs8,000 for office expenses, Rs10,000 for telephone bills, and Rs25 per kilometre for vehicle expenses.
Furthermore, Rs2,000 for daily household rent, AC parlour travel on trains, and other allowances will be provided. Both current and former parliamentarians will be entitled to the same health and other facilities as federal secretaries.
If a parliamentarian becomes a committee chairman, they will receive an additional Rs25,000 per month, along with 360 litres of petrol, four employees, and a vehicle ranging from 1,200 to 1,800cc, as well as an office.
