ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has strongly condemned the recent massive salary increase for the National Assembly speaker and Senate chairman.
Addressing the issue on X (formerly Twitter), the senior PML-N leader described the pay hike as “financial vulgarity.”
سپیکر ،ڈپٹی سپیکر چیئرمین سینیٹ، ڈپٹی چیئرمین سینیٹ کی تنخواہ میں اور مالی مراعات میں بے تحاشہ اضافہ مالی فحاشی کے زمرے میں آتا ھے۔ عام آدمی کی زندگی کو ذہن میں رکھیں ھماری تمام عزت آبرو اسکی مرھون منت ھے۔۔
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) June 11, 2025
He urged lawmakers to consider the hardships faced by ordinary citizens, emphasizing that the dignity and honor of leaders depend on the welfare of the common man.
Massive Salary Increase Sparks Outrage
The government recently issued a notification announcing a staggering 500% increase in the salaries of the National Assembly speaker and Senate chairman.
Their monthly pay has been raised from Rs205,000 to Rs1.3 million, effective from January 1, 2025.
This announcement came just days before the federal budget presentation, raising concerns about timing and fairness.
Earlier, the government had approved a 300% salary increase for MNAs and Senators, raising their monthly pay from Rs180,000 to Rs519,000.
President Asif Ali Zardari also signed an ordinance last month allowing a 140% pay increase for federal ministers, increasing their salaries from Rs218,000 to Rs519,000 starting January 2025.
Call for Responsibility and Empathy
Parliamentary sources disclosed that lawmakers initially sought an even higher salary of Rs1 million per month, but Speaker Ayaz Sadiq rejected the demand and settled on Rs519,000.
Khawaja Asif’s remarks reflect growing public frustration over the salary hikes amid economic challenges faced by many citizens.
He urged legislators to demonstrate responsibility and empathy towards the struggles of the average Pakistani.
Asif highlighted that true leadership should prioritize the well-being of the people above personal financial gains.
This criticism sheds light on the sensitive issue of political pay raises and the need for balancing governance with public sentiment.
