Facing intense public criticism, the government may reconsider the recent significant salary hikes granted to the National Assembly speaker, Senate chairman, their deputies, and federal ministers. Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry acknowledged on the assembly floor that the decision could be reviewed and even withdrawn, admitting it had sparked justified concerns.
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq distanced himself from the move, clarifying that neither he nor the house finance committee played any role in approving the pay increase. He added that he had no objection to the reversal of the decision.
Dr. Chaudhry admitted his ministry had initiated the salary hike proposal, which was subsequently approved by the federal cabinet. His comments followed reports that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had taken notice of the controversy, especially after Defence Minister Khawaja Asif criticized the decision. Reports indicated that the monthly salaries of top officials had surged from Rs205,000 to Rs1.3 million, with total monthly benefits exceeding Rs2 million.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb previously defended the steep hikes, citing long-term stagnation in lawmakers’ pay compared to government employees.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly’s budget debate was marred by technical issues. A sound system malfunction—allegedly caused by PTI’s protest—left several microphones inactive, prompting opposition members to speak from the opposition leader’s seat using alternate arrangements. Live broadcasts of opposition speeches were also withheld, raising censorship concerns.
Opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan denounced the government’s economic policies, alleged political victimisation, and demanded the release of political prisoners and fresh elections under reformed electoral laws.
