The salaries and allowances of federal cabinet members have been significantly increased, with federal ministers, ministers of state, and advisers receiving hikes of up to 188%.
Sources confirmed on Thursday that the federal ministers approved a summary of the salary increments for themselves and ministers of state through circulation. An amendment to the Federal Ministers and Ministers of State (Allowances and Salaries) Act, 1975 was approved in this regard, paving the way for these increases.
Following the approval of the new bill, the revised salary of a federal minister, minister of state, and adviser will now stand at Rs519,000. Previously, federal ministers were earning Rs200,000, while ministers of state had a salary of Rs180,000.
This decision marks a substantial 159% increase in the salaries of federal ministers, while ministers of state and advisers have witnessed an increment of up to 188%.
Also Read: Salaries of MNAs, senators increase 143% to Rs519,000
With the amendments now in place, the revised salary structure will take immediate effect.
Earlier this year in January, the Finance Committee had approved an increase in the salaries of MNAs and senators, raising their monthly pay to Rs519,000. The increase took effect from January 1, 2025.
According to sources, however, the salaries of the speaker and deputy speaker of the National Assembly remained unchanged, as the Finance Committee did not have the authority to revise their pay. They will continue to receive Rs218,000 per month, the Speaker’s Office confirmed.
A proposal recommending that the salaries and benefits of lawmakers be aligned with those of a federal secretary had been submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
According to sources, the National Assembly's finance committee approved the proposal after which Speaker Ayaz Sadiq forwarded the recommendations to the prime minister. The proposal suggested fixing the monthly salary and allowances of MNAs and senators at Rs519,000.