President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday issued four ordinances, one of which increases the monthly salaries of federal ministers and ministers of state to bring them in line with those of National Assembly members (MNAs).
This move follows the passage of the Members of Parliament Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill 2025 earlier this year. Approved by both houses of Parliament, the legislation raises lawmakers’ salaries significantly. The National Assembly’s Finance Committee, chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, had approved the increase, setting the monthly salary for each MNA and senator at Rs519,000 — up from the previous Rs180,000.
According to the ordinance, federal ministers and ministers of state will now also receive Rs519,000 per month, matching the new salary of MNAs. Prior to this change, federal ministers earned Rs200,000 monthly, while ministers of state earned Rs180,000.
The adjustment amends the Federal Ministers and Ministers of State (Salaries, Allowances and Privileges) Act, 1975.
This salary hike comes after the expansion of the federal cabinet on February 27, when President Zardari administered the oath to 12 new federal ministers and nine ministers of state. Additionally, three advisers and four special assistants to the prime minister were appointed. The cabinet’s size has since grown from 21 to 43 members, now comprising 30 federal ministers, nine ministers of state, and four advisers. While most new appointees are from the ruling PML-N, allied party members also secured key roles.
In addition to the salary ordinance, the president also signed three other legislative measures:
- The National Agri-trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA) Ordinance, aimed at regulating sanitary and phytosanitary standards for imports and exports.
- The Tax Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, focused on recovering tax revenues stuck in legal disputes.
- The Capital Development Authority (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, introducing changes to the governance of Islamabad’s civic authority.
