Pakistan more than doubles federal cabinet salaries via presidential ordinance

Pakistan's federal government issued a presidential ordinance to more than double the salaries of federal cabinet members. Monthly salaries of federal ministers and ministers of state have been increased from PKR 218,000 to PKR 519,000.

The ordinance equalizes cabinet salaries with those of National Assembly members.

The measure amended "The Federal Ministers and Ministers of State (Salaries and Privileges), Act of 1975." Section 3 of the act was modified to align the salaries of federal ministers and ministers of state with National Assembly members.

Under the ordinance, salaries of federal ministers and ministers of state jumped by more than 140%. The increase was implemented retroactively from the start of the year.

Ordinance promulgated as parliament not in session

According to the decree, the National Assembly and Senate are not currently in session, prompting the president to issue the ordinance to bypass parliamentary approval.

President Asif Ali Zardari issued the ordinance to amend the 1975 Salaries, Privileges and Privileges Act, creating pay parity between federal ministers, ministers of state and members of parliament.

In March, the federal cabinet approved salary increases for its members, which were supposed to be presented to parliament for approval.

In January, the Finance Committee, chaired by the Speaker, approved a 176% salary increase for MNAs—from PKR 188,000 to 519,000 per month. The move was widely criticized but came after nine years, with two provincial assemblies already granting similar raises.