In a rare display of unity, both government and opposition lawmakers pushed for a salary increase aligning with that of a federal secretary—an appeal that was ultimately approved by the Finance Committee.

Reports indicate that parliamentarians initially sought a raise to one million rupees per month, but Speaker Ayaz Sadiq opposed the request. Instead, the approved increase raises their monthly salary from 188,000 rupees, including 38,000 rupees in allowances, to 519,000 rupees—a staggering 176 percent hike.

While inflation was cited as the primary justification, broader economic concerns cannot be ignored. The economy remains fragile, and the Federal Board of Revenue has fallen short of its July-December 2024 revenue target of 6,009 billion rupees by 386 billion rupees. This shortfall could trigger a contingency plan or a mini-budget, as previously agreed upon with the International Monetary Fund under the ongoing Extended Fund Facility program. While inflation may provide some justification for raising parliamentary salaries, one would have expected lawmakers to delay such a move until the economy showed clear signs of recovery. A more responsible approach would have been to wait for improved ratings from international agencies, a genuinely reduced fiscal deficit, and foreign exchange reserves built on exports and remittances rather than unsustainable debt. Instead, they have chosen to reward themselves at a time when millions are struggling to make ends meet.

It’s also worth noting that the government had already allocated a 20 to 25 percent salary increase for civilian and defense personnel this year—an increase many argue was unnecessary. Not only did it push current expenditures up by 21 percent, fueling inflation, but it also benefited only 7 percent of the workforce. Meanwhile, the vast majority—93 percent—working in the private sector have not seen a salary increase in years due to economic challenges, including a struggling manufacturing sector and flood-related disruptions. This disparity, combined with rising utility costs under IMF-imposed conditions, has only deepened public dissatisfaction with pay raises for government officials.

The government has emphasized rightsizing efforts, with discussions about leaving 150,000 vacant positions unfilled. Official figures show that while the sanctioned workforce is 1.2 million, the actual working strength stands at 947,610. However, most of these unfilled positions date back to 2022-23 and are concentrated in the federal government, whereas corporations and autonomous bodies remain largely unaffected.

While restructuring and privatization could eventually lead to workforce reductions, there is growing concern that continuous pay hikes will offset any financial savings from these rightsizing measures. If salaries continue rising at such steep annual rates, the overall wage bill for government employees may expand rather than shrink, contradicting the goal of fiscal discipline.

At a time when ordinary citizens are struggling to afford basic necessities, lawmakers have once again proven how out of touch they are with the realities of the people they claim to represent. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s approval of an outrageous 300% salary hike for parliamentarians is not just insensitive—it’s an outright insult to the nation.

The rationale is that lawmakers should earn as much as federal secretaries. But this argument falls apart under scrutiny. Unlike bureaucrats, who at least have administrative responsibilities, many legislators rarely even attend assembly sessions, let alone engage in productive lawmaking. Parliament has increasingly become an arena for political theater rather than a platform for addressing urgent economic crises.

What makes this move even more appalling is the rare bipartisan unity behind it. In a time of extreme political polarization, lawmakers from both sides found common ground—not to pass crucial reforms or policies that benefit the people, but to secure a financial windfall for themselves. Their efficiency in approving their own pay raise stands in stark contrast to their sluggishness in addressing pressing public issues.

The public outrage is well-founded, but history shows that politicians are unlikely to care. They have mastered the art of self-preservation, insulating themselves from accountability while ensuring their personal financial comfort, no matter how dire the national situation becomes. If they had any integrity, they would have rejected this raise outright and redirected these funds toward public welfare initiatives.

This decision must not go unchallenged. Lawmakers need to be reminded that they are public servants, not self-serving elites. If they continue to disregard the hardships of their constituents, they should expect the electorate to return the favor at the ballot box.

This reckless decision must be challenged. Lawmakers need to be reminded that they are elected to serve the people, not themselves. If they continue to ignore the hardships of ordinary citizens, they should be prepared for the consequences at the ballot box. The public will not forget such blatant self-interest when the time comes to cast their votes.