NA Approves Increase in Salaries and Travel Allowances for Pakistan Lawmakers in Budget 2024-25
The National Assembly (NA) has passed an amendment in the Budget 2024-25 to raise the salaries and travel allowances of Pakistan lawmakers, despite opposition protests. The amendment, proposed by PPP leader Abdul Qadir Patel, was approved, increasing travel allowance from Rs10 to Rs25 per kilometre and allowing the carryover of unused airline tickets. The number of annual travel vouchers has also been increased to 30.
The Finance Bill 2024-25 brings these changes through an amendment to the Salary and Allowances Act, giving the finance committee of the NA the authority to determine lawmakers’ salaries and allowances. The NA also approved the Federal Budget for the year 2024-25, totaling Rs18,870 billion, after Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb moved the motion for consideration.
Despite rejecting all amendments presented by the opposition, the Finance Bill-2024 was passed with a majority vote after a clause-by-clause reading and adopting amendments.