ISLAMABAD: The federal government has confirmed that top officials of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) granted themselves substantial salary hikes earlier this year—without prior cabinet approval—sparking renewed concerns over governance and transparency in regulatory bodies.
Responding to a question in the National Assembly from MNA Shagufta Jumani, Minister Incharge for Cabinet Division Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry revealed that Nepra’s chairman now draws a gross monthly salary exceeding Rs3.247 million, while each member earns more than Rs2.943 million. These figures exclude additional perks such as medical benefits and annual gratuities—Rs772,780 for the chairman and Rs701,005 for members per year of completed service.
The revelation follows earlier objections from the Cabinet Division, which deemed the salary increases unauthorized under Section 8 of the Nepra Act and requested a written explanation. Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal told a Senate panel in February that all regulatory bodies remain under the jurisdiction of the federal cabinet or prime minister, and Nepra’s unilateral move breached protocol.
While the government eventually gave implicit approval to the salary hikes, it acknowledged the irregularity. Officials noted that amendments to the Nepra Act in 2018 allowed the authority to determine its own emoluments—albeit still subject to federal approval and based on job specialization, market parity, and self-sufficiency principles.
The controversy underscores growing public scrutiny over public sector compensation, especially amid mounting power sector challenges and rising electricity tariffs.
