The Finance Committee has approved an increase in the salaries of MNAs and senators, raising their monthly pay to Rs519,000. The increase will take effect from January 1, 2025.

According to sources, however, the salaries of the speaker and deputy speaker of the National Assembly will remain unchanged, as the Finance Committee does not have the authority to revise their pay. They will continue to receive Rs218,000 per month, the Speaker’s Office confirmed.

Last week, a proposal recommending that the salaries and benefits of lawmakers be aligned with those of a federal secretary was submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to sources, the National Assembly's finance committee approved the proposal after which, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq forwarded the recommendations to the prime minister. The proposal suggested fixing the monthly salary and allowances of MNAs and senators at Rs519,000.

Also Read: MNAs, senators demand salary increase to at least Rs500,000

Currently, after deductions, a federal secretary's monthly salary and allowances amount to Rs519,000.

Parliamentary insiders revealed that earlier demands to increase monthly salaries to Rs1 million were rejected by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. This initiative was reportedly supported by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and other parties on the need for parity between lawmakers and high-ranking federal officials.

Notably, 67 lawmakers from the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also submitted written requests advocating for a salary hike. The finance committee further proposed extending federal secretary-level benefits and facilities to parliamentarians. The current monthly salary and benefits of lawmakers equal to Rs218,000.