Govt to pay Rs2m per month to new hires after firing clerical staff

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the appointment of more than a dozen consultants (Management Pay Scales and Special Professional Pay Scales) with monthly compensation packages up to Rs2 million.

The new hiring is part of proposals for austerity measures that include a 60% reduction in clerical staff and the elimination of open positions to reduce the rising costs.

These appointments aim to enhance performance in critical sectors, including IT, energy, and finance.

Dr Nayab Babar as Project Director for IT initiatives with a salary of Rs875,000 and Dr Awais e Siraj as a member of Implementation and Monitoring.

Other appointments include team leads, senior associates, and research associates across various ministries.

The consultants are contracted for two to three years under approved salary packages.

MP-I scale employees will receive over Rs900,000, including basic pay and allowances for housing, utilities, and transport. MP-II and MP-III scales offer salaries of Rs448,280 and Rs305,520, respectively.

The move is part of a government strategy to attract top talent. Critics, however, have questioned the high salaries amid ongoing economic challenges, emphasizing the need for transparent and effective use of resources.