ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday took notice of a major and contentious increase in the salaries of the Senate chairman and National Assembly speaker, directing an immediate inquiry into the matter.
According to sources familiar with the development, the prime minister has requested a detailed report from both presiding officers to explain the rationale behind the salary revisions. A decision will be made based on the findings of that report, the sources added.
The move comes after the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs issued a notification confirming a significant raise in monthly salaries. Dated May 29, the notification revealed that the salaries of the Senate chairman and NA speaker have surged from Rs205,000 to Rs1.3 million — a staggering increase of over 534 per cent.
In addition to the revised salary, both officials will also receive a 50 per cent temporary allowance. The new pay structure is set to take effect from January 1, 2025.
This latest hike follows a broader trend of salary adjustments across the federal government. In March, the federal cabinet approved increases of up to 188 per cent for federal ministers, ministers of state, and advisers. That revision saw the monthly pay of federal ministers jump from Rs200,000 to Rs519,000, and ministers of state from Rs180,000 to the same figure.
The changes were approved through a summary circulated within the cabinet, which led to amendments in the Federal Ministers and Ministers of State (Salaries and Allowances) Act, 1975.
Earlier this year, the National Assembly’s Finance Committee also approved salary increases for MNAs and senators, raising their monthly pay to Rs519,000 — a 143 per cent hike.
The rapid and sizable salary revisions have sparked widespread criticism from economists and civil society members, many of whom questioned the timing and justification for the raises amid ongoing economic challenges.
No official explanation has yet been provided, raising concerns about the growing burden these pay structures may impose on the national treasury.
