ISLAMABAD: In a controversial move that has triggered widespread criticism, the federal government has approved a more than fivefold increase in the monthly salaries of the Senate chairman and the National Assembly speaker, raising their pay from Rs 205,000 to Rs 1.3 million.
According to a notification, the revised salary also includes a 50% sumptuary allowance, amounting to Rs 650,000, bringing the total monthly package to Rs 1.95 million. The hike is effective retroactively from January 2025.
A senior official from the National Assembly Secretariat confirmed that this is the first salary revision for these positions since January 2016.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism, even from within the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Senior PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique denounced the increase, calling it “incomprehensible” and morally unjustifiable.
“A sudden increase of many times in the salaries of the Chairman Senate and Speaker National Assembly and a 50 percent increase in allowance is an incomprehensible move,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Zahid Khan, PML-N’s Additional Secretary Information, also expressed disapproval, demanding an immediate reversal.
“While the government seeks support from the IMF, boosting the perks of top officials sends the wrong message. The speaker and chairman must set an example by rejecting the raise,” he said.
The Awami National Party (ANP) joined the chorus of condemnation, labeling the move as “rubbing salt into the wounds” of the public during a time of severe economic hardship. The party called for the decision to be overturned.
The increase comes just months after the federal cabinet’s salaries and allowances were raised by up to 188% in March. Additionally, both houses of Parliament had earlier approved an increase in the salaries of MNAs and senators, raising them to Rs519,000 per month.
Critics argue that these generous raises are tone-deaf, especially as the government continues to negotiate international financial support and imposes austerity measures on the general public.
