The finance department of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and the caretaker government have been unable to agree on a 30–35% salary increase for government employees despite the province’s dire financial situation.
According to the local news sources, the finance department has been of the opinion that a 15% to 20% increase in salary would be reasonable under the circumstances. However, the final decision will be made by the caretaker cabinet, and officials will brief the caretaker chief minister before making the decision.
The provincial government has already dropped hints that, following the federal government’s lead, workers in grades 1 through 16 may receive a 35% pay rise and that those in other grades may receive a 30% rise.
The government is yet to decide on salary raise
An official said, “Consultation between the finance department and government is underway, but the finance department has made it clear that under the current circumstances 15 to 20 per cent increase is realistic while the provincial government is more inclined to follow in the footsteps of the federal government,” adding that the matter is still pending and the caretaker chief minister would be briefed on this today (Sunday).
After receiving his approval, the budget will be finalised, and “he will also be briefed on the annual development programme (ADP),” the official said. Today, the caretaker cabinet would likely meet to ratify salaries and other budgetary matters. The pensions of retired workers are also recommended to be raised by 17.5%.
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