MPs Seek Pay Hike Amid Rising Inflation While Ordinary Citizens Struggle with 34,000 Rupees Salary
Islamabad: Amid the growing pressure of inflation, members of parliament have been compelled to discuss their salaries and allowances, with many seeking an increase. While ordinary citizens struggle to make ends meet with the minimum wage of 34,000 rupees, MPs, funded by taxpayers, are requesting higher compensation.
During a Senate session chaired by Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar presented details of parliamentarians’ salaries and benefits. The Minister disclosed that the monthly salary of an MP is 156,000 rupees, and they do not receive government-provided vehicles. Additionally, parliamentarians are allotted only 8,000 rupees for utility bills, a sum Tarar criticized as insufficient to meet even basic expenses.
Tarar further clarified that the salary of ministers is set at 232,000 rupees, although 95% of them do not collect their salaries. Ministers are also entitled to a 1,500 cc car and 400 liters of fuel, but they are responsible for paying their own electricity and gas bills.
The Law Minister also highlighted the issues regarding media channels violating laws, leading to fines and bans, and stressed the importance of providing quality content on TV to reduce the negative impact of mobile phones on children.
