Dr. Arif Alvi Seeks Salary Increment, Official Records Show President’s Request for Two Raises, First from July 1, 2021, and Second from July 1, 2023.
The president is currently paid Rs846,550 per month and seeks a two-step rise to Rs10,24325 and Rs12,29,190 per month beginning in July 2021 and July 2023, respectively.
The President’s Secretariat requested an amendment to the Fourth Schedule of the President’s Salary Allowances and Privileges (Amendment) Act, 2018, in a letter written to the Secretary Cabinet through his Military Secretary earlier this month, to allow the president’s salary, a) Rs1,024,325 per month with effect from July 1, 2021, and b) Rs1,229,190 per month with effect from July 1, 2023.
According to the letter, “In accordance with paragraph 3(2) of the President’s Salary, Allowances, and Privileges (Amendment) Act 2018, as published in the Gazette Notification (Part I), the President’s remuneration shall be a symbolic one rupee higher than the salary of any holder of Public Office in relation to Federation affairs.” As a result, the honorable President’s monthly salary was established at Rs846,550/- in 2018, as represented in the Fourth Schedule of the Act ibid.”
“It is highlighted that the salary of the Chief Justice of Pakistan as a holder of Public Office has been increased twice in the last two years through Presidential Orders,” the Presidency continued. The pay of the Chief Justice of Pakistan was determined at Rs1,024,324 per month beginning July 1, 2021, and then at Rs1,229,189 beginning July 1, 2023. The President’s pay was not increased in accordance with the established standard of one rupee more than the income of any holder of public office, namely the Chief Justice of Pakistan.”
Based on the foregoing, the Presidency requested that the Fourth Schedule of the President’s Salary Allowances and Privileges (Amendment) Act 2018 be amended accordingly.
The Cabinet Division referred the case to the Law Ministry, which on August 18 advised the former to process the case for a raise in Alvi’s salary. The Law Ministry said, “The Federal Government by virtue of section 3(2) of the same Act has the power to amend that Schedule by way of a notification in the official gazette henceforth in relation to the issue at hand the Federal Government is competent to amend the Fourth Schedule by way of gazette notification and no amendment in the Fourth Schedule is required via an amending Act to effectuate a revision in the salary of the President.”
The matter was also referred to the Finance Division, which backed the proposed increase in the president’s pay through an amendment to the Fourth Schedule of the President (pay, Allowances, and Privileges) Act, 1975, on August 22.
The topic will be referred to the cabinet for approval. The president will receive not only the planned hikes but also a sizable arrears payment, as two-step raises will be permitted beginning in July 2021 and July 2023, respectively.
