The Finance Division has prepared three proposals for salaries, according to sources, but the International Monetary Fund would have to approve the suggestions. Pakistan’s new government is in the middle of negotiating for more funds with the international lender as part of a $6 billion rescue programme agreed upon in 2019. Austerity and taxation and an end to subsidies are some of the conditions. Raising salaries would have to be discussed as it would increase government running expenses.

The government was deliberating raises for officers from grades 1 to 19 (5% to 10%) and 10% to 15% for officers from grades 20 to 22.

After assuming office in April, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a 10% increase in pensions and raised the minimum wage to Rs25,000.

Federal govt officials utilise 8m litres of free petrol per month

The federal government officials utilise eight million litres of petrol per month amounting to at least Rs1 billion under the fuel allowance allocated for bureaucrats and politicians.

Officials of ministries and divisions receive 360 litres free petrol per month, while federal ministers, National Assembly speaker and deputy speaker and Senate chairperson and deputy chairperson receive unlimited quantity of petrol under the allowance, according to a Cabinet Division source.

It was also reported that the Capital Development Authority is among other departments where the fuel is being “misused”.

Expensive vehicles were handed over to the federal government officials for nominal amount under the policy of monetisation. As per the policy they are receiving Rs65,000 to Rs95,000 per month allowance since 2015.

Meanwhile, bureaucrats of grade 12 to 16 sometimes utilise free petrol for unofficial purposes.

In less than 10 days, the government jacked up petrol price by Rs60 per litre that led to massive inflation. Though the government announced an aid of Rs2,000 per month to low-income families to cope up the effect of price hike of necessities, but the minimal amount is very less for the livelihood of those living below the poverty line.

After the second hike in fuel prices, the Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments announced reduction in the petrol quota of officials.

Recently, Punjab also announced barring free fuel for ministers. However, the federal government has not taken any initiative in this regard..