MPs make joint pitch for hefty pay raise

NA panel approves proposal to set perks at Rs519,000


Waqas Ahmed January 26, 2025

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ISLAMABAD:

In a rare show of unity, lawmakers belonging to the PML-N led ruling alliance supported their counterparts from Imran Khan's PTI when the latter demanded a 200 times increase in the salaries of member parliaments — Members National Assembly (MNAs) and Senators.

Sources reveal that the National Assembly's Finance Committee has approved a proposal to set the monthly salary and perks of MNAs and Senators at Rs519,000, equating them to the salary and perks of a federal secretary. This proposal has been sent to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for final approval.

According to the sources, 67 MNAs from the PTI had submitted a written request for an increase in salaries. Members from the PPP, the PML-N, and other parties supported this demand.

After all deductions, a federal secretary's monthly salary and allowances amount to Rs519,000, a benchmark that MPs will now also receive. They said the MPs had initially demanded a Rs1 million monthly salary, but this demand was rejected by NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

Currently, an MP earns a salary of Rs188,000 including a basic salary of Rs150,000 along with Rs38,000 in allowances. After the proposed increase, MPs' salaries and benefits would rise to Rs519,000.

Adjustments to MPs' salaries and benefits have historically been made through amendments to the Members of Parliament Salaries and Allowances Act. However, in the 2024-25 Finance Bill, the government amended the act, delegating the authority for such changes to the Finance Committee.

On January 20, the upper house of parliament passed a private member's bill seeking to empower a parliamentary panel in matters related to salaries and allowance of parliamentarians.

Senator Danesh Kumar brought the Members of Parliament Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill, 2025 to a vote. Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar did not oppose the proposed piece of legislation.

Speaking on the occasion, Tarar said he had no objection to the bill, as the National Assembly has recently granted its House Finance Committee authority over salaries and allowances.

"The Senate is also being given similar authority through the House Finance Committee for matters related to salaries and allowances. A uniform policy will now apply to both houses, which is why there is no opposition," he said.

According to the statement, the purpose of the bill is to make parliament autonomous in managing the financial matters of its members.

As per the bill's text, the Senate House Finance Committee will review members' financial matters, empowering parliament to oversee and manage these issues independently.

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