Islamabad: President Dr. Arif Alvi has demanded an increase in his salary. Official documents show the president has asked for two extensions, the first to take effect on July 1, 2021, and the second on July 1, 2023.
Currently, the president draws Rs 846,550 per month and he wants to increase it by Rs 1,024,325 and Rs 1,229,190 per month with effect from July 2021 and July 2023, respectively.
In a letter to the Cabinet Secretary through its Military Secretary earlier this month, the President’s Secretariat sought an amendment to the Fourth Schedule of the President’s Salary Allowances and Perks (Amendment) Act, 2018 so that the President’s salary, a ) Rs.1,024,325 per month. with effect from 1st July 2021, and b) Rs.1,229,190 per month with effect from 1st July 2023.
According to the letter, “In pursuance of para 3(2) of the President’s Salary, Allowances and Perks (Amendment) Act, 2018, published in the Gazette Notification (Part I), the remuneration of the President will be symbolically increased by Rs. Salary of any holder of public office in respect of affairs.Accordingly, the salary of the Hon’ble President in 2018 was fixed at Rs.846,550/- per month as shown in the Fourth Schedule to the Act.
The House of Representatives added, “It is significant that the salary of the Chief Justice of Pakistan has been increased twice in the last 2 years through presidential orders, being an official post holder. Salary of the Chief Justice of Pakistan 01 July 2021 1,024,324 per month and thereafter fixed at Rs.1,229,189 per month from 01 July 2023. Reference to the fixed rule of Rs. Not added to.
Based on the aforesaid, the House of President requested to amend the Fourth Schedule of the President’s Salary Allowances and Perks (Amendment) Act, 2018 accordingly.
The Cabinet Division forwarded the case to the Law Ministry, which on August 18 advised the former prime minister to take up the case to increase Alvi’s salary. The Law Ministry said, “On the basis of Section 3(2) of the same Act, the Federal Government is empowered to amend the Schedule by notification in the Official Gazette in this regard. Amendment of the Fourth Schedule by and revision of the President’s salary does not require any amendment in the Fourth Schedule by the Amending Act.
The matter was also referred to the Finance Division which on August 22 supported the proposed increase in the salary of the President by amending the Fourth Schedule of the President (Salary, Allowances and Perks) Act, 1975.
It is expected that the matter will be presented to the Cabinet for approval. The President, apart from getting the desired hike, will also get a huge amount in arrears as the hike will be allowed in two steps from July 2021 and July 2023 respectively.
