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NEPRA Chairman, Members Grant Themselves 220% Salary Hike Without Approval
The NEPRA chairman & members reportedly increased their salaries by 220% without federal approval, raising their pay to over Rs 3.2 million!
ND
by News Desk
2025-02-17
NEPRA Chairman, Members Grant Themselves 220% Salary Hike Without Approval

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) is under scrutiny after reports surfaced of its chairman and members granting themselves a massive 220% salary hike without federal cabinet approval.

Sources revealed that the salaries were raised through ad hoc relief and regulatory allowances, taking the chairman’s monthly pay to over Rs 3.2 million and each member’s salary to Rs 2.9 million — a stark increase from the previously sanctioned Rs 1 million ceiling set in October 2023.

Under Pakistani law, such increases require federal cabinet approval. However, NEPRA allegedly bypassed this process entirely.

In a statement to Geo News, former NEPRA chairman Tauseef H. Farooqui denied involvement, clarifying that during his tenure until August 2023, his salary never exceeded Rs 790,000, while members earned Rs 740,000.

"Only the federal cabinet has the authority to approve salary hikes. I was never part of this decision," Farooqui emphasized.

The development has sparked outrage among consumers already burdened by rising electricity bills, with many questioning the regulatory authority's accountability.

Public Reaction:

🔹 "We can't afford electricity bills, and they’re giving themselves raises?" – Ali Khan, Karachi
🔹 "Who oversees the regulators? This is public money being mishandled." – Sara Ahmed, Lahore

The government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the unapproved salary increases.
Tagged:

NEPRA

Accountability

PakistanEconomy

SalaryHike
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