KARACHI (HRNW): A recent analytical report released by the World Bank has revealed that Pakistan has ranked first globally among countries providing the lowest salaries and benefits to government employees since 2023. The report highlights a significant disparity in the country’s wage structure and the devastating impact of soaring inflation on the public workforce.
Key Findings of the Report
According to World Bank data, the purchasing power of Pakistani government employees has seen a drastic decline over the past three years:
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Global Comparison: The report indicates that compared to other South Asian nations and developing economies, the “Real Income” of employees in BPS-1 to BPS-16 in Pakistan is at an all-time low.
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Inflationary Pressure: Since 2023, record-high inflation rates in Pakistan have eroded the value of fixed salaries, making it nearly impossible for lower-tier public servants to meet basic living costs.
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The “Brain Drain” Risk: The report warns that inadequate compensation and a lack of competitive benefits are driving skilled professionals out of the public sector, either toward the private market or abroad, posing a long-term threat to the country’s administrative efficiency.
Economic Perspectives
Financial experts suggest that the World Bank’s findings serve as a wake-up call for the Government of Pakistan to overhaul its pay scales. While the government remains focused on austerity measures to curb fiscal deficits, experts argue that adjusting minimum wages in proportion to the cost of living is now inevitable to prevent a complete collapse of employee morale.
Representative bodies of government employees have called on the authorities to immediately implement the recommendations of the “Pay and Pension Commission” in light of these international findings to provide much-needed economic security to the working class.
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