ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is considering to give some more relief to the low-grade government servants amid harsh criticism by the opposition parties against the meagre raise in salaries and pensions, official sources said on Sunday.
“We can expect some more raise in the salaries of the government servants up to grade 16 in the coming days as PM Nawaz Sharif thinks the poor people need to be given some relief,” a close aide of the premier told The Nation.
“The PM might ask Ishaq Dar to revise the raise in salaries during the budget debate. The government can also take some time to formalise this announcement. They will see how the debate (in the parliament) goes. The issue of pensions may also be reconsidered”, he said.
Another official said the government was considering to make the raise in salaries 10 percent for the government servants up to grade 16 instead of the 7.5 percent.
“The financial advisors of the government believe it could be tough to make room for more raise but the PM has asked them to find some way out if possible”, the official revealed.
In the new budget, the government has given 7.5 % relief allowance and increased medical allowance by 25 percent for the public servants.
In the budget 2015-16 tax on salaried person has been decreased from 5 % to 2%. Some 7.5 % increase in pension of retired employees has been announced. The government has also approved 25 % increase in medical allowance of pensioners and raised minimum pension to Rs 13000 per month.
On Friday, Ishaq Dar had unveiled the budget for the fiscal year 2015-16 with a total outlay of Rs 4.33 trillion. Compared to the 2014-15 budget of Rs 3.985 trillion, 2015-16’s outlay of Rs 4.313 trillion is 8.2% higher.
“It is not that Prime Minister or the government is not concerned about the people but there are limitations. The government wishes to give maximum relief to the public”, said a cabinet member.
He said the PM still wants to somehow bring out something for the poor “but he cannot take emotional decisions. We hope the announcement for some more relief will come soon”.
Commenting on the budget, Federal Minister Abdul Qadir Baloch said, “The government tried to present a balanced and people friendly budget. The tax rate has been only increased on such products which fall under the category of luxury items”.
He added, “The country needs ample financial resources to ensure socio-economic development and betterment of the people. An all out effort has been made to save the poor segments of the society from imposing new taxes”.
Analyst Dr Saboor Ghayur said, “Inflation rate has been decreased and foreign reserves have been improved. Per capita income has also increased. The government has been focusing on to improve the production of industrial and agriculture sectors of the country”. Federal Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmed observed, “The government has announced the increase in pensions and salaries of government employees. The government has tried to provide relief to overseas Pakistanis”.
The opposition parties meanwhile are prepared for a heated debate on the budget and pinpoint the flaws when the parliament session resumes today.
Opposition Leader Khurshid Shah said, “There are so many things which need to be revised. The share of the poor class is minimal which must be improved”.
He said the PPP was not satisfied with the low raise in salaries and pensions and will take up the issue during the parliamentary debate.