ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has slashed salaries of its employees by 50 percent after months of payment delays. The party cites a financial crisis as the reason.
PTI staff, many of whom spent months in jail, demand full salaries. They argue they have families to support. Employees say PTI MPs increased their own salaries but ignored staff payments.
PTI’s Central Secretary for Information, Sheikh Waqas Akram, stated that he cared about party employees and had written a note against the decision.
A staff member, speaking anonymously, revealed that PTI employs 25 to 28 salaried workers. Their salaries range from Rs 35,000 to Rs 200,000. These employees handle accounts, office work, and media operations.
He disclosed that PTI’s monthly expenses for offices in Islamabad and Lahore total around Rs 4 million. After authorities raided the PTI secretariat in July last year, several employees were jailed. During their detention, the party stopped their salaries. Even after their release, payments remained delayed.
Last year, Rauf Hassan arranged funds to clear some dues. However, salaries were again delayed. In October 2024, party officials informed employees that PTI lacked funds to pay utility bills for the chairman’s office in Bani Gala. To avoid disconnection, they deducted staff salaries to cover the bills.
An employee claimed that five months’ salaries remain unpaid. He said the party will now cut salaries by 50%. He criticised PTI MPs for raising their own salaries while neglecting staff payments.
Another employee blamed PTI’s aggressive stance for the crisis. He said the party should not have picked fights it could not win. Now, workers are suffering due to PTI’s confrontational approach.
He also called the 50% pay cut unfair. He argued that reducing salaries for both high-paid and low-paid employees equally was unjust. He noted that last year, Imran Khan ordered Rs 240,000 payments to provincial and federal assembly members, but they never received the money.
Despite its reputation as a wealthy party, PTI faces financial trouble. Former leader Sher Afzal Marwat has repeatedly accused party officials of corruption. He claims large sums from donations are being funneled to favoured lawyers.
A senior PTI leader, speaking anonymously, confirmed the crisis. He said since May 9, 2023, agencies like the FIA and NAB have targeted the party. They froze bank accounts and blocked funding sources. He claimed authorities also investigate donors, discouraging further contributions.
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PTI’s information secretary, Sheikh Waqas Akram, acknowledged the financial challenges. He said Imran Khan instructed all ticket holders to deposit Rs 120,000, either in one payment or two installments. Despite this, financial problems persist.
Waqas Akram strongly opposed the salary cuts. He agreed that backdating the reduction was unfair. He expressed hope that the situation would improve and staff would receive their dues. He assured that PTI values its employees and their families.
