Govt employees get 15pc raise in salary

Increase in salaries comes at a time when inflation is skyrocketing

The federal government on Wednesday announced a 15 percent increase in the salary of government employees.

According to a notification, the government announced 15pc disparity allowance for grade 1 to 19 employees. The Ministry of Finance said that the disparity allowance will be applicable from March 1 while a summary of time scale promotion is also being considered. The decision about the up-gradation of employees will be made in April 2022. The merger of ad hoc relief/allowances into pay will be decided on the report of the Pay and Pension Commission, said the Finance Ministry.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced an increase of 15 per cent in the salary of Rangers and FC personnel during his visit to Nushki, Balochistan.

He had said that he was aware of the issues being faced by the masses due to rising inflation. “Unfortunately, this is a global phenomenon,” he added.

Interior Minister Shiekh Rasheed had said earlier on Wednesday that he would talk to the prime minister about raising the salary of civil employees.

The announcement of an increase in salaries comes at a time when inflation is skyrocketing in the country, according to local and international financial institutions. The disparity allowance is being considered as temporary relief and the decision to incorporate it in the salary of government employees will be made in the light of the recommendations of the Pay and Pension Commission. There is a big difference in the pay structure of employees of different departments and the disparity allowance had been announced to reduce this gap to some extent.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal termed it a step taken due to political interests rather than national ones.  He dismissed the claim that the government increased the salary to give relief to the people. Finance Ministry Spokesperson Muzzammil Aslam clarified that there is no pressure on the government and this step has been taken for the sake of giving relief. He said that the announcement was in line with the policy of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

In Pakistan, the government usually makes such announcements in June when the federal is presented in parliament. However, the incumbent government announced the allowance in February and its implementation from March 1.

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