Pakistan approves up to 188% salary hike for ministers, advisors

Pakistan’s federal cabinet has approved amendments to the Federal and State Ministers’ Salary, Allowances, and Privileges (Amendment) Act, 1975, paving the way for a significant pay raise for ministers. The bill will now be presented in parliament for final approval.

Sources said the salaries of federal ministers, ministers of state, and advisors have been approved for an increase of up to 188%. The amendments aim to bring ministerial salaries in line with those of parliamentarians.

Under the new bill, the salary of a federal minister, minister of state, and advisor will be set at PKR 519,000. Previously, federal ministers earned PKR 200,000, while ministers of state received PKR 180,000.

The changes mean federal ministers will see a 159% salary increase, while ministers of state and advisors to the prime minister will receive a 188% raise.

The bill also amends various provisions of the 1975 Act, ensuring that allowances, vehicles, and office facilities for ministers are included in their compensation package.

Sources told Nukta that the salary increase proposal was initially on the agenda for a cabinet meeting on February 4 but was removed at the last minute. The decision to delay its discussion was reportedly made to avoid public and media criticism.

Earlier this year, on the recommendation of a parliamentary committee, federal lawmakers' monthly salaries were increased to PKR 519,000, aligning them with the pay of senior civil servants. The recommendation followed Punjab’s approval of a 426% salary hike for lawmakers and ministers, last year.