Nusrat Javed Criticizes Government’s Economic Policies, Questions Salary Hike for Top Bureaucrats

Lahore: Senior political analyst Nusrat Javed has strongly criticized the federal government’s economic policies and the increase in salaries and benefits for senior bureaucrats, alleging that the public is being burdened with rising fuel prices while the country’s elite continue to enjoy expanded privileges.

Speaking during a private television talk show, Javed remarked, “You raise petrol prices every day and make people suffer, but you should also look at what you are doing for yourselves.” He accused the government of placing increasing financial pressure on ordinary citizens while granting substantial benefits to senior officials.

According to Nusrat Javed, the federal cabinet approved an increase of Rs1.8 billion in salaries and allowances for senior bureaucrats, including CSS officers, secretaries, and additional secretaries, during its June 12 meeting. He noted that details of the decision became public on July 17.

He alleged that the approval was granted quietly and that the financial burden of such decisions ultimately falls on taxpayers. Javed claimed that whenever the government faces fiscal challenges, the salaried and lower-income classes are made to bear the consequences, whereas influential segments of society continue to receive enhanced benefits.

The analyst pointed out that many of the officials benefiting from the increase already receive government residences, official vehicles, free fuel, and various other facilities. He questioned the need for further financial incentives at a time when inflation and rising living costs are affecting large sections of the population.

آپ روزانہ پٹرول مہنگا کر کے ہمیں اذیت پہنچا رہے ہو ظالمو! لیکن جو آپ اپنے لئے کر رہے ہیں اس پر بھی نظر ڈالو۔ آپ چوروں کی طرح 12 جون کو وفاقی کابینہ کے اجلاس میں ہمارے ملک کے غریب، ایک روٹی کھانے والے اعلیٰ بیوروکریٹ، سی ایس ایس والے سیکرٹریز اور ایڈیشنل سیکرٹریز کی مراعات اور… pic.twitter.com/GgALdUDyAR

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Nusrat Javed further stated that ordinary citizens are struggling with inflation, increasing petrol prices, and mounting household expenses, while different standards appear to apply to the ruling elite and senior bureaucracy.

In a satirical remark, he said that only the children of privileged officials would have the opportunity to study at world-renowned institutions such as Harvard University and be considered exceptionally talented, whereas ordinary Pakistanis would continue to face economic hardships for generations.

He argued that such policies are contributing to growing feelings of deprivation among the public and undermining confidence in the state’s governance and economic priorities.