The Finance Ministry has strongly denied reports attributing a statement to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb regarding potential changes in government employees’ salaries.
The ministry clarified on Monday that no such announcement was made by the finance minister on the floor of the National Assembly, dismissing the circulating reports as misleading and “not based on facts.”
In its official statement, the Finance Ministry asserted, “The finance minister did not mention any revision of pay scales or salary increases for government employees in his speech.” This clarification comes in response to earlier reports suggesting that the upcoming federal budget would not include any provisions for increasing the salaries and pensions of government employees.
The Finance Ministry emphasized that any decision regarding salary revisions or allowance adjustments for federal employees would be thoroughly evaluated before inclusion in the budget. It reiterated that no formal discussion or proposal regarding salary increases is currently under consideration. The ministry also urged media outlets to verify information from official sources before publishing speculative reports.
Furthermore, the Finance Ministry addressed concerns raised in the National Assembly by clarifying that a written response had been provided to a parliamentary question. The response explicitly stated that, at present, there is no proposal being reviewed for revising pay scales or significantly increasing salaries and allowances for federal employees in the next fiscal year.
The Finance Ministry’s clarification comes at a time when rising inflation and economic challenges have put additional financial strain on government employees. Many civil servants had hoped for salary increments in the upcoming budget, but the ministry’s latest statement dampens those expectations. The government is facing fiscal constraints, and any decision regarding salary adjustments will likely depend on broader economic conditions and budgetary allocations.
As discussions on the federal budget continue, the Finance Ministry remains the key authority in shaping fiscal policies, ensuring financial stability, and addressing concerns related to government expenditures. Any official updates on salary adjustments will be communicated through the Finance Ministry’s channels to prevent misinformation and speculation.