The federal government’s decision to increase the Executive Allowance (EA) for senior civil servants has drawn criticism after several occupational groups were excluded from the revised benefit, prompting dissatisfaction across the federal bureaucracy.
The revised allowance, which is expected to cost the government around Rs. 2 billion, applies to officers in Basic Pay Scale (BPS) 17 to BPS-22. Under the new policy, the allowance will be calculated based on an officer’s running basic pay as of June 30, 2026, replacing the previous formula that was linked to the 2022 basic pay level.
The revised Executive Allowance 2026 took effect from July 1, 2026.
Several Occupational Groups Left Out
Despite the increase, officers from several civil service groups have reportedly been excluded from the enhanced allowance.
According to sources, the excluded groups include:
- Information Group
- Audit and Accounts
- Pakistan Postal Service
- Commerce and Trade Group
- Pakistan Railways
- Some Police Service officers
The exclusions have triggered concerns over unequal treatment within the federal civil service.
Information Group Officers Raise Concerns
Sources said officers belonging to the Information Group who are serving in the Press Information Department (PID) and the Directorate of Electronic Media and Publications (DEMP) are among those not receiving the revised allowance.
Officials argue that while other officers working in the same departments continue to receive the Executive Allowance, Information Group officers posted alongside them have been excluded, creating disparities within the same workplace.
The decision has reportedly generated frustration among affected officers.
Audit and Accounts Officers Also Affected
The Audit and Accounts Group has also raised objections over the revised policy.
According to officials, only officers posted at the group’s headquarters qualify for the Executive Allowance, while many others remain ineligible.
Although Audit and Accounts officers receive a separate allowance introduced following judicial directives, officials say its value is considerably lower than the revised Executive Allowance.
Longstanding Pay Disparities Resurface
The latest decision has revived debate over differences in salaries and allowances across Pakistan’s federal civil service.
Over the years, employees serving in institutions such as:
- Prime Minister’s Office
- President’s Office
- Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)
- National Accountability Bureau (NAB)
- Intelligence agencies
- Various regulatory authorities
have received significantly higher salaries and allowances than those paid under the standard Basic Pay Scale (BPS) system.
Civil servants argue that these disparities have widened over time, resulting in unequal compensation among officers of similar grades.
More Groups Seek Equal Treatment
Sources said the Economist Group and Foreign Service of Pakistan officers were initially excluded from the revised Executive Allowance but were later included after raising objections.
Following those revisions, other excluded occupational groups have also begun demanding equal treatment and the extension of the enhanced allowance to all eligible officers.
Government Also Increases Other Allowances
In addition to revising the Executive Allowance, the federal government has approved a 15 percent Disparity Reduction Allowance (DRA) 2026 for employees in BPS-1 to BPS-22 who are already receiving the allowance.
The DRA will continue to be calculated based on employees’ basic pay as of June 30, 2022, and became effective on July 1, 2026.
The government has also approved a 50 percent increase in the conveyance allowance for civil servants across BPS-1 to BPS-22, subject to existing terms and conditions.
Debate Over Pay Structure Continues
The controversy surrounding the revised Executive Allowance highlights ongoing concerns over Pakistan’s fragmented government pay structure.
Employee representatives have repeatedly called for a comprehensive review of salaries and allowances to reduce disparities between occupational groups and ensure a more transparent and equitable compensation system across the federal civil service.
As more groups seek inclusion in the revised allowance, the government may face increasing pressure to revisit the policy and address concerns raised by excluded officers.
