Salary Hike for Senate Chairman and NA Speaker Raises Eyebrows

The government of Pakistan has approved a significant increase in the salaries of the Senate chairman and the National Assembly (NA) speaker, bringing their monthly pay five times higher. The new salaries, which will commence in January 2025, will be Rs 1.3 million, a substantial jump from the previous Rs 205,000. This increase also includes a 50% allowance, adding an additional Rs 650,000 to their monthly earnings.

Key Takeaways:

• The Senate chairman and NA speaker's monthly salaries will increase from Rs 205,000 to Rs 1.3 million, a fivefold rise.
• The salary hike, which includes a 50% allowance, will add an additional Rs 650,000 to their monthly earnings.
• This is the first salary increase for these positions since January 2016.
• The government's decision has sparked mixed reactions, with some supporting the move and others criticizing it.
• Senior PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique has criticized the decision, calling it "incomprehensible" and lacking moral justification.
• Critics argue that the raise may hurt public trust and that public servants should focus on service, not high salaries.

Statistics:

• The salary of the Senate chairman and NA speaker will increase by 531.7% (from Rs 205,000 to Rs 1.3 million).
• The 50% allowance will add Rs 650,000 to their monthly earnings.
• The new salaries will start in January 2025.
• The notification confirming the decision was issued on May 29.

Sources:

• "The government approved a big salary increase for the Senate chairman and the National Assembly (NA) speaker." (The News, May 29, 2024)
• "A senior official from the National Assembly confirmed the update."
• "The government's recent moves seem to boost the pay of top officials quickly." (Dawn, March 2025)
• "Before this, salaries of federal cabinet members increased by up to 188% in March 2025." (Business Recorder, March 2025)