Pakistan's Debt Soars While Lawmakers' Salaries Surge by Over 500%
Islamabad (The Uttam Hindu): Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif's government, which is facing the brunt of financial crisis and inflation, has taken another shocking decision. According to local media reports, the salary of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani has been increased by 500 percent.
Now both the top constitutional officials will get a salary of 13 lakh Pakistani rupees every month, whereas earlier this amount was only 2.05 lakh rupees. This increase will be effective from January 1, 2025.
In the last few months, the Sharif government has increased the salaries of ministers, advisers, MPs and now the Speaker and Chairman. In March, the salaries of cabinet ministers, state ministers and advisers were increased by 188 percent. At the same time, a monthly salary of Rs 5.19 lakh was approved for MPs and senators.
All this is happening at a time when Pakistan's economy is plagued by debt, political instability, unemployment, inflation and a massive hike in fuel and electricity rates. While the general public is being advised to tighten its belt, the government is increasing its own expenditure.
Criticising the Sharif government, a local resident of Islamabad said, “First these people talk about tightening their belts and simplicity, then they themselves increase the number of cabinet ministers and also increase their salaries to the skies. The burden of taxes on the common people and the luxury for themselves, this is too much!”
Let us tell you that when the Sharif government took power, there were only 21 members in the cabinet, which has now been increased to 51 members.
Amid the deteriorating economic condition of the country, this salary hike seems like rubbing salt on the wounds of the common man. Critics say that if this is the path of 'economic reform', then it may take a long time for Pakistan to recover from the difficulties.