On Monday, the Punjab Assembly passed a bill approving a substantial increase in the salaries and allowances of its members, ministers, and parliamentary officials.
Under the Punjab Revision of Salaries of Public Representatives 2024, lawmakers’ and officials’ salaries will be significantly boosted to align with current economic conditions.
The bill states that the existing pay structure, last revised in 2019, is no longer sufficient, describing the current emoluments as “very low” and “inadequate.”
According to the new legislation, a minister’s salary will increase from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 960,000, while the Punjab Assembly speaker will see their pay jump from Rs. 125,000 to Rs. 950,000. The deputy speaker’s salary will rise from Rs. 120,000 to Rs. 800,000.
Similarly, parliamentary secretaries will receive Rs. 451,000, up from Rs. 83,000. Advisors and special assistants to the chief minister will now draw Rs. 665,000, compared to their previous Rs. 100,000.
While objections were raised by opposition leader Ahmad Khan Bachar, Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan defended the bill, calling it a constitutional and necessary step under the 1972 Parliamentary Act.