The Senate’s Standing Committee on Finance has stripped the Ministry of Finance and the government of its authority to determine the salaries and allowances of National Assembly members. This decision empowers the National Assembly itself to decide on future increases.

A similar proposal has been introduced in the Senate, granting senators the same autonomy over their own compensation. Previously, any adjustments to National Assembly members’ salaries and benefits required consultation with the Ministry of Finance. This requirement has now been removed following the passage of an amendment by the National Assembly.

The Senate committee’s meeting, chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, focused on amendments to parliamentarians’ allowances. The Secretary of Finance, Imdad Bosal, requested a three-day extension to review the amendments.

Senator Mandviwalla, while presenting the amendment, stated that the government will no longer have the power to adjust National Assembly members’ allowances. The National Assembly will independently decide on salary increases.

He confirmed that a bill authorizing members to determine their own salaries has already been passed. The amendment effectively grants parliamentarians the authority to set their own compensation.