Khawaja Asif labels NA speaker, Senate chairman salary increase as financial excess

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has strongly opposed the recent increase in salaries and perks for the National Assembly Speaker and the Senate Chairman, terming it “financial extravagance.”

In a statement, the defence minister criticised the substantial raise, asserting that it falls under the category of excessive spending.

Khawaja Asif said that the ‘lavish’ increment in the salaries and benefits of the Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairman also qualifies as financial extravagance.

He said that there is need to consider the life of the common man, stating that the nation’s honor and dignity depend on their well-being.

Earlier, rhe federal government has approved a massive 500 percent salary increase for the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairman of the Senate.

According to reports, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani will now receive a monthly salary of PKR 1.3 million.

Read More: Ministers get 140 percent salary raise

Previously, both high-ranking parliamentary officials were drawing a salary of PKR 205,000 per month.

The massive increase will come into effect from 1st January 2025, according to the notification released by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.

This development follows an earlier decision by the government to approve a PKR 519,000 monthly salary increase for Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) and Senators.