In response to mounting criticism, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has distanced himself from the recent salary hike for his office and that of the Senate chairman, and refused to accept the increased salary unless a final decision is made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the federal cabinet.

According to reliable sources, Ayaz Sadiq expressed his frustration over Khawaja Asif's persistent criticism regarding the salary increase for the speaker and the Senate chairman. In a formal letter addressed to the PM, Sadiq made it clear that he has "nothing to do with the salary hike decision" and has voluntarily opted out of receiving any additional salary until a conclusive directive is issued.

In the letter, the speaker stated: “The decision to increase the salary of the speaker National Assembly lies entirely with the prime minister and the federal cabinet. I do not seek or endorse any increase in my pay.”

Sources close to the matter say Sadiq also mentioned in the letter that he would continue to draw his current salary and refused to accept the revised amount.

Moreover, the spokesperson for the National Assembly issued a clarification regarding the recent salary increase for the assembly speaker. According to the statement, the summary proposing the salary increase was prepared by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, not the speaker’s office or the National Assembly Secretariat.

The speaker’s office and the National Assembly Secretariat had no role in initiating or processing the salary hike. it said further, adding that the summary was approved by the federal cabinet, following which a notification was issued by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.

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The issue of salary hikes for top lawmakers has sparked political backlash, with senior leader Khawaja Asif publicly criticizing the move at various forums. The criticism comes amid growing economic hardship faced by ordinary citizens, making the matter politically sensitive.

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

The monthly salary for both officials was fixed at Rs1.3million, a great rise from their previous salary of Rs205,000. The notification said that both would also receive an additional 50% as a temporary allowance on top of the new salary. The revised salary structure took effect from January 1, 2025.

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The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs issued the notification dated May 29.

Earlier on March 21, it was reported that the salaries and allowances of federal cabinet members had been significantly increased, with federal ministers, ministers of state and advisers receiving hikes of up to 188%.

Sources had said that the federal ministers approved a summary of the salary increments for themselves and ministers of state through circulation. An amendment to the Federal Ministers and Ministers of State (Allowances and Salaries) Act, 1975 was approved in this regard, paving the way for these increases.

It was said that following the approval of the bill, the revised salary of a federal minister, minister of state and adviser would stand at Rs519,000. Previously, federal ministers were earning Rs200,000, while ministers of state had a salary of Rs180,000.

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This decision marked a substantial 159% increase in the salaries of federal ministers, while ministers of state and advisers have witnessed an increment of up to 188%.

On June 12, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had taken notice of the significant and controversial salary hike granted to the Senate chairman and the National Assembly speaker.

Sources privy to the development said that the premier sought a detailed report from both the chairman Senate and the speaker National Assembly regarding the salary revision.