ISLAMABAD: Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has announced that government would issue health insurance cards for the Working Journalist and the Artist during the year 2023-24.
While talking with a private TV channel Finance Minister stated that government is committed to provide maximum benefits to working journalists and the artists in the country. They are serving to promote country soft image around the globe.
He said the government announced increasing the minimum pension fixing it at Rs 12,000 and minimum monthly wage from Rs 25,000 to Rs 32,000 within the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
He also stated that 17.5% also increased in pension of retired federal government employees.
Replying to a question Dar said the government has provided relief to the federal government employees and pensioners in the form of adhoc relief allowance of up to 35% for those in grades 1-16, and 30% for grades 17-22 and 17.5%, respectively.
Commenting on non-filers of income tax returns, the minister informed that the government has re-imposed a withholding tax on cash withdrawals by them.
Announcing relief measures for the salaried class, Ishaq Dar said the government had proposed 30-35 percent increase in the salaries on ad-hoc basis and 17.5 percent enhancement in the pensions of the Federal Government employees, realizing their financial hardships due to the increased inflation.
The minister said the government had decided to give 35 percent ad-hoc relief in the salaries of employees from Grade1-16 and 30 percent to Grade-17-22 employees aimed at increasing their purchase power.
