President Zardari rejects bill increasing lawmakers' salary

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has returned the Salaries and Allowances Amendment Bill 2025—which sought a significant salary hike for members of the National Assembly (MNAs) and senators—to parliament, citing constitutional concerns.

The president objected that the Finance Committees of the National Assembly and Senate do not have the authority to increase lawmakers’ salaries and benefits.

He referred to Article 75(1)(b) and Article 66(2) of the Constitution, which mandate proper legislative processes for such decisions.

Additionally, Article 88(1) clarifies that Finance Committees only control expenditure and do not have jurisdiction over salary increments.

Read more: Senate approves salary and perks increase bill

What was in bill?

The bill, passed by the National Assembly on February 11 and the Senate on February 17, proposed raising MNAs' and senators' salaries from Rs218,000 to Rs519,000 (excluding the Speaker and Deputy Speaker).

The implementation date was set for January 1, meaning MNAs had already received the increased salary before presidential assent, while senators were still awaiting approval.