Such an increase reflects a “threefold rise” in the disbursed funds. The release of funds has been authorised at the request of the Cabinet Division.

The planning ministry has approved the release of Rs30.9 billion within the past week, bringing the cumulative total for such schemes to Rs48.3 billion. Previously, only Rs17.5 billion had been approved up until December.

On January 13, the ministry approved an additional Rs12.5 billion. The total release exceeds the previously approved limit by a slight margin of Rs30 billion. Furthermore, on January 17, an additional Rs18.4 billion was approved for release, they added.

Also, read this

Income tax calculator for FY 2024-25

Shabbar Zaidi calls for ending ‘supremacy of one province’ to improve NFC Award

What does Pakistan need to take on sacred cows?

On Saturday, Aaj News reported that the monthly salary and benefits for members of the National Assembly (MNAs) and senators are proposed to be set at Rs519,000.

The National Assembly speaker has forwarded the finance committee’s recommendations to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

A total of 67 members from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf have also formally demanded an increase in salaries. Other parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, have joined in solidarity on the issue.