ISLAMABAD, July 4 (Alliance News): National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has distanced himself from the recent controversy over the increase in his salary, stating in a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that he has “nothing to do with the issue” and does not seek any raise.
The letter, written on Thursday, follows strong public criticism from Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, who denounced the pay hikes for top parliamentary officials, including the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Senate Chairman, calling them “financial obscenity.”
Sadiq clarified that he had neither requested nor endorsed any pay raise and was willing to continue with his existing salary. “No matter if my salary is not increased.
I have nothing to do with the issue,” the Speaker wrote in his letter to the Prime Minister, adding that the decision now rests with the federal cabinet.
Despite the backlash, Sadiq refrained from responding directly to the Defence Minister’s pointed criticism.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly Secretariat issued a clarification stating that the proposal for the Speaker’s salary increase was initiated by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, not by the Speaker’s office or the Secretariat.
The summary was reportedly prepared and approved by the federal cabinet, after which the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs issued the notification.
Khawaja Asif, continuing his criticism, urged lawmakers to remain mindful of the economic conditions facing ordinary citizens. “Please keep the life of the common man in mind — we owe our honour and dignity to them,” he posted on social media platform X.
The episode has triggered a broader discussion on the ethics of pay raises for public officeholders amid ongoing economic challenges in the country.
