Equal Salary Hike for Army, Budget Delay Explained

Islamabad, May 27 — Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb firmly dispelled rumors, declaring no plans in the upcoming budget to boost salaries of armed forces personnel beyond those of civilian government employees, as stated during a media interaction post-seminar. Amid low inflation, the government is mulling salary hikes of 6% to 10% for all employees, ensuring equal treatment across sectors, countering circulating claims of a disproportionate military raise.

“There is no such proposal,” Aurangzeb asserted, prioritizing national defence needs with assured resource allocation. He dodged a direct answer on tax relief for the salaried class, fueling speculation. Addressing external pressures, he highlighted India’s failed attempts to sabotage Pakistan’s $7 billion package, affirming resilience in economic plans. On budget delay rumors—shifting from June 2 to June 10—he cited the Prime Minister’s diplomatic visit to thank a friendly nation for regional support.

Web context notes Pakistan’s IMF deal reliance (e.g., $7 billion EFF, web ID: 0), while posts found on X show mixed reactions—some cheer equality in raises, others question tax relief silence. Critically, the narrative of “equality” may mask budget constraints—web sources highlight fiscal deficits, and X sentiment suggests distrust in government transparency, hinting at underlying economic strain.