The Senate has given the green light to the Parliamentarians’ Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill 2025, which will grant lawmakers increased salaries and benefits. Despite some resistance, the bill secured majority approval following a formal vote to address concerns raised by dissenting members.
Senator Danesh Kumar introduced the bill, which was ultimately passed unanimously. However, Deputy Chairman Syedal Khan instructed that the names of opposing members be recorded, highlighting the contentious nature of the decision.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar defended the salary increase, urging lawmakers not to politicize the matter. He suggested that those unwilling to accept the raise could submit a written declaration, noting that similar adjustments had already been implemented at the provincial level.
His remarks sparked strong objections from the opposition, leading to an intervention by the Deputy Chairman to maintain order in the Senate.
Apart from the salary bill, other legislative proposals received mixed reactions. The Income Tax Ordinance (Amendment) Bill 2025, presented by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, was opposed by Minister of State for Finance Ali Pervaiz Malik.
Debate ensued over the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill 2023, introduced by Senator Mohsin Aziz, who insisted on discussing it in the Senate rather than referring it to a committee.
Meanwhile, certain bills faced delays. The Legal Practitioners & Bar Councils (Amendment) Bill 2025 was postponed due to Senator Farooq H Naek’s absence, while the University of Business Sciences & Technology Bill 2025 was sent to the relevant standing committee for further review.
