ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has confirmed that the government will not raise the minimum wage in the new fiscal budget for 2025–26.
Speaking at a post-budget press conference, the minister said, “The minimum wage will remain at its current level,” indicating no revision despite ongoing inflationary pressures.
Justification and Political Context
Aurangzeb defended the decision by urging critics to consider the broader context of economic constraints and inflation.
He responded to criticism over government salary hikes by highlighting disparities between different categories of public servants.
He also pointed out that top officials—such as the Senate chairman, National Assembly speaker, and their deputies—had already received substantial pay raises.
Historical Perspective and Wage Trends
Addressing concerns about disproportionate increases, the minister stated that the last salary hike for federal cabinet members occurred in 2016.
“If increments had been introduced annually, the current adjustments wouldn’t appear abrupt,” he explained.
The Finance Ministry last revised the minimum wage in 2024, increasing it from Rs32,000 to Rs37,000.
No additional change has been introduced in this year’s budget, drawing concern from labor advocates amid rising living costs.
