Sign in Subscribe
Chairpersons

Controversial Salary Hike for Senate Chairman and National Assembly Speaker Sparks Outrage

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of a significant salary hike granted to the Senate chairman and the National Assembly speaker, and has sought a detailed report from both officials regarding the revision. The increased remuneration, confirmed in a notification by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs on May 29, has sparked widespread criticism from economic experts and civil society. The new pay structure, which will take effect from January 1, 2025, sees both office-holders' salaries jump from Rs205,000 to a staggering Rs1.3 million, a 534 per cent increase.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Senate chairman and the National Assembly speaker's salaries have been increased from Rs205,000 to Rs1.3 million, a 534 per cent rise, as per the notification dated May 29.
  • Both office-holders will receive a 50 per cent temporary allowance over and above the revised salary, adding to the controversy surrounding the pay hike.
  • The new pay structure will take effect from January 1, 2025, amidst criticism from economic experts and civil society.
  • The substantial increase, approved quietly through circulation, has drawn attention to the timing and rationale behind the salary revisions.
  • The salary hikes come after earlier adjustments in the federal legislature and cabinet, including a 188 per cent increase for federal ministers, ministers of state, and advisers in March.

Statistics:

  • Rs205,000: original salary of the Senate chairman and the National Assembly speaker.
  • Rs1.3 million: new monthly salary of the Senate chairman and the National Assembly speaker, a 534 per cent increase.
  • 50 per cent: temporary allowance over and above the revised salary for both office-holders.
  • 188 per cent: increase in salaries for federal ministers, ministers of state, and advisers in March.
  • April 1, 2025: date when a similar pay hike increased the monthly salary of federal ministers from Rs200,000 to Rs519,000.
  • 50 per cent: temporary allowance over and above the revised salary for federal ministers.

Sources:

  • Notification dated May 29 by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
  • Summary circulated among the cabinet, subsequently approved, leading to amendments in the Federal Ministers and Ministers of State (Salaries and Allowances) Act, 1975.

Read more