Lawmakers Reward Themselves Amid Public Hardship with Huge Increase in Ministers Allowances
In a cross that has generated every political controversy and public outrage, the Punjab government has surpassed the Punjab Public Representatives Laws (Amendment) Bill 2025, significantly increasing the leave allowances for top provincial officials. Opponents are terming the increase insensitive and misplaced since tens of millions of Pakistanis struggle with inflation and financial squeeze.
For provincial ministers under the new bill, the depart allowance has been increased from Rs 74,000 to Rs 960,000, which is practically doubling their month-to-month salary. The Speaker of the Punjab Assembly will now receive Rs 950,000, as compared to a humble Rs 37,000, and the Deputy Speaker allowance increases likewise, from Rs 37,000 to Rs 775,000.
A Tenfold Surge: What the Amendment Entails
The alteration no longer merely touches on a small allowance; it is a blanket change in how public lawmakers are paid during their periods of absence from legitimate duty. The powers-that-be have actually equated depart payments with normal month-to-month salaries a prepayment reserved for certain carrier benefits, no longer pursuits legislative leaves.
Although supporters claim that the invoice promotes parity and reflects the true cost of living, critics question its economic and moral rationale throughout a period of big fiscal hardship.
Public Reaction: A Storm of Criticism and Questions
The timing of this legislation has heightened the furor. Pakistan’s middle and poor businesses are reeling under the burden of looming electrical energy costs, stagnant salaries, and joblessness. The tenfold increase in benefits for politicians is seen as starkly out of touch with the day-to-day reality of citizens.
Social media exploded within hours of the passage of the bill, with tags such as #ElitePrivileges and #PunjabAssembly trending across platforms. Economists and civil society members have commented, terming the amendment as a “self-serving” cross that undermines people’s trust in democratic institutions.
A Lahore-based coach tweeted on X (formerly Twitter), “I lose salary when I take leave. Ministers take leave and are given Rs 1 million. Is this governance or lavishness?”
Legislative Defense: Government’s Position on the Raise
Government officials have justified the amendment, stating that it introduces transparency and fairness in rewarding excessive workplace bearers. “This isn’t an elevate for leisure,” one PML-N legislator contended. “It’s about ensuring continuity of dignity and monetary parity for elected representatives.”
However, transparency proponents are quick to point out that the Punjab Public Representatives Laws Amendment is devoid of relevant consultation, public debate, or justification research usual requirements in policy-making that directly involves taxpayer funds.
A Widening Gap Between People and Politicians
This enhancement puts the emerging divergence among the ruling class and ordinary citizens under sharp focus. With the world going through gas bill price increases, high taxation, and subsidies reduction, the spectacle of legislators profiting from such bonuses risks similarly disenfranchising the electorate.
Such choices have been warned to exacerbate political disaffection and voter disillusionment, particularly among emerging years and working-class constituents who already perceive the political class as unresponsive.
The Punjab Public Representatives Laws Amendment has done more than just boost salaries it’s raised eyebrows, questions, and concerns over priorities in a crisis economy.
Whether the powers that be will reconsider or revise this contentious rules remains to be seen. But one thing that’s good is that the people are watching and traumatic accountability louder than ever before.
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