Senior PML-N leader and former federal minister Khawaja Saad Rafique has publicly slammed the recent increase in salaries and allowances for the Senate chairman and the National Assembly speaker, calling the move "incomprehensible" and lacking moral justification.

In a strongly worded statement posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Rafique voiced his disapproval of the “sudden and disproportionate” salary hikes, which include a significant rise in pay and a 50% increase in allowances for the two top parliamentary officials.

“A sudden increase of many times in the salaries of the Chairman Senate and Speaker National Assembly and a 50 percent increase in allowance is an incomprehensible move,” Rafique stated.

چیئرمین سینٹ اور سپیکر قومی اسمبلی کی تنخواھوں میں یکایک کىئ گنا اضافہ اور 50 فی صد زائد الاؤنس ناقابل فہم اقدام ھے،
اس سے پیشتر اراکین اسمبلی کے مشاھرے بھی بیک جنبش ِ قلم کىئ گنا بڑھاۓ گئے ھیں۔۔

اعلٰی عدلیہ کے ججز اور جنرل صاحبان کے مشاھرے اور مراعات پہلےھی عوامی تنقید کی زد…
— Khawaja Saad Rafique (@KhSaad_Rafique) June 7, 2025

He pointed out that this isn’t the first time such actions have occurred, referring to previous instances when lawmakers' salaries were increased “many times over with a single stroke of the pen.”

Rafique emphasized that any decision regarding pay raises should be made through a proper procedure and must ensure equity across all classes of public servants.

“There is no moral justification for the assembly to increase its own or a specific class's salary and privileges blindly,” he said. “The increase in salaries should be on the basis of equality for every class.”

Also Read: Massive salary hike announced for NA speaker, Senate chairman

The former railways minister also drew attention to the public's growing criticism of the benefits enjoyed by senior judiciary members and military generals.

“It would be better if the increase in the salaries of parliamentarians or other state institutions was linked to the increase in the salaries of government employees in the annual budget,” he concluded.

Following Saad Rafique’s criticism, senior party leader Zahid Khan also expressed strong reservations, calling the move unjustified.

Zahid Khan demanded an immediate reversal of the decision, stating, “The country is already facing numerous challenges, particularly on the economic front. In such circumstances, a salary hike of this nature is simply incomprehensible.”

He further added, “On the one hand, the government is seeking loans from the IMF, while on the other, it is increasing privileges for the ruling elite. This sends the wrong message—that those in power are focused on enriching themselves while the public continues to suffer.”

Khan urged that the National Assembly speaker and the Senate chairman should voluntarily refuse to accept the increased salaries, setting an example of responsible leadership.

On June 6, the government issued a notification confirming a substantial increase in the salaries of the National Assembly speaker and the Senate chairman.

According to details that surfaced on Friday, the monthly salary for both officials has been fixed at Rs1.3 million, a huge rise from their previous salary of Rs205,000. The notification said that both will also receive an additional 50% as a temporary allowance on top of the new salary.

Also Read: Salaries of MNAs, senators increase 143% to Rs519,000

The revised salary structure will take effect from January 1. The notification issued by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs was dated May 29.

Earlier in January, the Finance Committee had approved an increase in the salaries of MNAs and senators, raising their monthly pay to Rs519,000. The increase took effect from January 1. A proposal recommending that the salaries and benefits of lawmakers be aligned with those of a federal secretary had been 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 PM. The proposal suggested fixing the monthly salary and allowances of MNAs and senators at Rs519,000.