Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved a salary increase for parliamentarians, which will take effect from January 1, 2025.
After the raise, members of parliament will now receive approximately Rs. 519,000 per month. The increased salary will be reflected in their accounts soon.
However, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ayaz Sadiq, and the Deputy Speaker will not receive this increase. Their salaries will remain at Rs. 218,000 per month. This is because the Finance Committee, which approved the salary adjustments on January 25, does not have the authority to change their pay.
This decision follows similar salary increases in other assemblies. Recently, the Punjab Assembly approved a massive 426% pay raise for its members.
The salary revision has sparked discussions, with some people supporting the move, while others question the timing and necessity of the raise, especially given Pakistan’s current economic challenges. However, government officials argue that the increase was necessary to adjust for inflation and ensure fair compensation for lawmakers.
As the new salaries take effect, it remains to be seen how this decision will be received by the public and whether similar increases will be implemented in other provinces.
