Govt grants four-month bonus salaries to PM house employees by taking bank loan

In stark contrast to promises of austerity and efforts to alleviate the financial strain on the economy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government granted four months salaries in bonuses to employees of the PM office, by taking a bank loan at a 23% interest rate.

According to the Express Tribune report, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb approved these bonuses as a gesture of appreciation for the employees' efforts just before embarking on talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to secure a new bailout package.

However, as indicated by sources from the publication, the Prime Minister's office employees have not demonstrated extraordinary achievements to deserve such costly rewards. 

Meanwhile, ordinary citizens continue to face the brunt of skyrocketing fuel and energy prices, making it increasingly challenging to make ends meet. 

The government rewarded these officers who already benefit from various perks and privileges, with loans at an interest rate of 23%, all while burdening the cash-strapped economy .

According to sources, PM Shehbaz initiated a "reward program" for high-performing officers in ministries during a recent cabinet meeting, proposing a 100% increase in salaries.

As the chairman of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), the finance minister granted approval for awarding four months of salaries as honorariums to grade 17 to 21 officers, including the three-month pay bonuses that were restored by the Prime Minister.

According to sources, the total cost of these bonuses is estimated to be around Rs51 million.