ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary Secretary for Railways Muhammad Usman Awaisi informed the National Assembly on Friday that the delayed salary payments to lower cadre staff of Pakistan Railways are due to the reliance on grant-in-aid from the Ministry of Finance.
He was responding to a calling attention notice by MNA Aliya Kamran, who voiced concerns over the late disbursement of monthly salaries to railway employees, which has caused public frustration.
Awaisi explained that the release of salaries depends on the grant-in-aid, which is financial assistance provided by the government to public institutions for specific purposes, as outlined by the Finance Division. He noted that the delay occurs because the Ministry of Finance typically releases the funds at the start of the month. To ensure timely payments, he suggested that the grant should be disbursed at the end of the preceding month.
Expressing his solidarity with the affected employees, Awaisi assured the assembly that he would bring the matter to the attention of the Ministry of Finance and Revenue to resolve the issue.
MNA Aliya Kamran pointed out that this problem has been ongoing for the past three years, despite former Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique’s promise to resolve it. She stressed that nearly 85% of the affected employees belong to the lower cadre, with salaries being paid around the 17th, 18th, or 19th of each month, making it difficult for them to manage household expenses.
She also highlighted delays in pensions, gratuity, and leave encashment payments, leaving retired employees unable to access their post-retirement benefits.