ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi has formally requested a salary increase, as indicated by official documents. The president has applied for two raises, first to be effective from July 1, 2021, and the second from July 1, 2023.
Earlier this month, the President’s Secretariat dispatched a letter through his Military Secretary to the Secretary Cabinet. This letter formally requested an adjustment in the Fourth Schedule of the President’s Salary Allowances and Privileges (Amendment) Act, 2018.
The intended amendment focuses on elevating the president’s monthly salary. The plan is to increase it to Rs1,024,325 per month, starting from July 1, 2021. Subsequently, there will be a rise to Rs1,229,190 per month, taking effect from July 1, 2023. Presently, the president receives a monthly salary of Rs846,550.
Presidential Salary Adjustments and Principle Discrepancy
According to the letter, “In Pursuance of para 3(2) of President’s Salary, Allowances and Privileges (Amendment) Act 2018, published in the Gazette Notification (Part I), the remuneration of the President shall be a symbolic one rupee higher than the salary of any holder of Public Office in relation to affairs of the Federation. Accordingly pay of the honorable President was fixed at Rs846,550/- per month in 2018 as reflected in the Fourth Schedule of the Act ibid.”
The Presidency also emphasized that the salary of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, as a holder of a Public Office, saw two increases in the last 2 years through Presidential Orders. The Chief Justice’s pay was set at Rs1,024,324 per month from July 1, 2021, and subsequently at Rs1,229,189 per month from July 1, 2023.
Notably, the President’s salary remained unchanged, disregarding the established principle of maintaining a salary one rupee higher than any other holder of a public office, specifically the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
Based on the details above, the Presidency has sought an amendment. This amendment pertains to the Fourth Schedule of the President’s Salary Allowances and Privileges (Amendment) Act 2018.
President’s Salary Hike Proposal Progresses Toward Cabinet Approval
On August 18, the Law Ministry advised the Cabinet Division to proceed with processing the case for an increase in Alvi’s salary after the division referred the matter to them.
According to the Law Ministry, the Federal Government holds the authority, under section 3(2) of the Act, to amend the Schedule through an official gazette notification. Therefore, for the purpose at hand, the revision in the President’s salary can be achieved through a gazette notification, without necessitating an amending Act for changes to the Fourth Schedule.
After receiving the referral, the Finance Division also provided its endorsement for the proposed salary increase for the president by means of amending the Fourth Schedule of the President (Salary, Allowances & Privileges) Act, 1975.
There are expevtations that the cabinet will review the case for approval. Additionally, the president will accumulate a substantial sum in arrears as the two-step raises are slated to become effective from July 2021 and July 2023, respectively.
