# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Fiscal malfeasance" by Editorial, Published in Dawn on June 16th, 2025:* The article criticizes *Pakistan's government* for prioritizing *elite prosperity* over *public welfare* during times of severe *economic distress*, when millions of *ordinary Pakistanis* are pushed near or below the *poverty line*. The *Senate chairman* and *National Assembly Speaker* received a *five-fold salary increase* with an additional *50% sumptuary allowance*, while *cabinet ministers* and *elected representatives* got a *188% increase* in salaries and allowances earlier this year. Despite *bipartisan criticism*, these increments far exceed the *accumulated inflation impact* since last salary revisions. The article questions why *parliamentarians* should be *insulated* from the *financial burden* of their own *poor policies* when *honest taxpaying citizens* bear the consequences. The government has been *cavalier* in distributing *public money favors* through *wage increases*, *special grants*, *allowances*, and *exemptions*. *Judges* received *eye-watering salary increases* in the outgoing fiscal year, while *bar councils* were given *special grants* to *curry favor* with the *legal community*. The government allegedly influenced *media loyalties* through *public-funded advertisements*. The *finance minister* announced a *special relief allowance* of *50% of basic salary* for *armed forces officers* and *20%* for *junior commissioned officers* and *soldiers*. The government again postponed *defense pension restructuring*, which consumes a *hefty portion* of the *state budget*. While *defense capability investments* are unquestionable, increasing *non-combat defense expenditures* during *economic strain* invites *scrutiny*. The article concludes that the *public* cannot be left feeling like the *only loser* in decisions made on their behalf. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *Pakistan's government* faces criticism for *five-fold salary increases* for *Senate chairman* and *Speaker*, plus *188% raises* for *ministers* during *economic distress*. *Judges*, *bar councils*, *armed forces*, and *media* received *special allowances* and *grants* from *public funds*. *Defense pension restructuring* was postponed again. While millions face *poverty*, *decision-makers* prioritize their own *prosperity* over *public welfare*. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Freeze Elite Salaries* Implement immediate *salary freeze* for all *parliamentarians*, *judges*, and *senior officials* until economic recovery. ## *2. Link Compensation to Performance* Tie *government salaries* to *economic indicators* like *GDP growth* and *poverty reduction*. ## *3. Transparent Spending Audit* Conduct *independent audits* of all *government expenditures* and *special allowances*. ## *4. Restructure Defense Pensions* Immediately implement long-delayed *defense pension reforms* to reduce *budget burden*. ## *5. Cap Non-Combat Expenses* Limit *non-combat defense spending* to essential requirements during *economic crisis*. ## *6. Eliminate Discretionary Grants* Stop *special grants* to *bar councils* and other *professional bodies* funded by *taxpayers*. ## *7. Reform Media Advertisement Policy* Establish *transparent criteria* for *government advertisements* to prevent *loyalty purchasing*. ## *8. Implement Austerity Measures* Enforce strict *austerity* across all *government departments* and *public offices*. ## *9. Create Salary Commission* Establish independent body to determine *fair compensation* based on *economic conditions*. ## *10. Prioritize Public Welfare* Redirect *elite benefits* toward *poverty alleviation* and *social protection programs*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *Senate chairman* and *National Assembly Speaker* salaries increased *five-fold*. - Additional *50% sumptuary allowance* provided to *parliamentary leadership*. - *Cabinet ministers* and *elected representatives* received *188% salary increase*. - *Armed forces officers* got *50% special relief allowance* of basic salary. - *Junior commissioned officers* and *soldiers* received *20% special allowance*. - *Defense pension restructuring* postponed again. - *Judges* received *eye-watering salary increases* in outgoing fiscal year. - *Bar councils* received *special grants* from government. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *Pakistan's poverty rate* increased to *39.4%* in *2023* (*World Bank*, 2024). - *Government spending* on *public sector salaries* is *4.2%* of *GDP* (*IMF*, 2024). - *Defense budget* constitutes *3.5%* of *GDP*, highest in *South Asia* (*SIPRI*, 2024). - *Inflation rate* averaged *29.2%* in *2023* (*Pakistan Bureau of Statistics*). - *Tax-to-GDP ratio* remains at *8.6%*, among world's lowest (*FBR*, 2024). - *Government debt* reached *95%* of *GDP* in *2024* (*Ministry of Finance*). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *By how much did the salaries of Senate chairman and National Assembly Speaker increase?* A. Three-fold B. Four-fold *C. Five-fold* D. Six-fold ### 2. *What percentage of sumptuary allowance was given to parliamentary leadership?* A. 30% B. 40% *C. 50%* D. 60% ### 3. *What was the percentage increase in cabinet ministers' salaries?* A. 150% B. 175% *C. 188%* D. 200% ### 4. *What special relief allowance percentage did armed forces officers receive?* A. 30% B. 40% *C. 50%* D. 60% ### 5. *What percentage allowance did junior commissioned officers and soldiers get?* A. 15% *B. 20%* C. 25% D. 30% # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Galling* (تکلیف دہ) – Extremely annoying or frustrating 2. *Distress* (پریشانی) – Extreme anxiety or suffering 3. *Sumptuary* (اخراجات) – Relating to expenditure or consumption 4. *Bipartisan* (دو جماعتی) – Involving both major political parties 5. *Surpass* (پیچھے چھوڑنا) – Exceed or go beyond 6. *Accumulated* (مجموعی) – Gathered or collected over time 7. *Insulated* (محفوظ) – Protected from unpleasant effects 8. *Fallout* (نتائج) – Adverse results or consequences 9. *Cavalier* (لاپرواہ) – Showing lack of proper concern 10. *Ostensibly* (بظاہر) – Apparently but not necessarily 11. *Curry favour* (خوشامد) – Seek to win approval through flattery 12. *Loyalties* (وفاداریاں) – Feelings of allegiance or commitment 13. *Bolster* (تقویت) – Support or strengthen 14. *Capabilities* (صلاحیات) – The ability to do something 15. *Strain* (دباؤ) – Pressure or stress 16. *Scrutiny* (جانچ پڑتال) – Critical observation or examination 17. *Hefty* (بھاری) – Large and heavy; substantial 18. *Consuming* (استعمال کرنا) – Using up resources 19. *Restructuring* (تنظیم نو) – Reorganizing for improvement 20. *Malfeasance* (بدعنوانی) – Wrongdoing by a public official 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. 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Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *www.dawn.com* *Fiscal malfeasance* *Editorial* *3 - 4 minutes* IT is galling that, even in these times of economic distress, when hardship has pushed millions of ordinary Pakistanis close to or below the poverty line, the decision-makers seem to have made their own prosperity a top priority. Take, for example, the recent five-fold increase in the salaries of the Senate chairman and National Assembly Speaker, which comes with an additional 50pc sumptuary allowance, as well as the 188pc increase in the salaries and allowances of cabinet ministers and elected representatives made earlier this year. The former decision has drawn bipartisan criticism in recent days, but can either be justified? While there is an argument to be made for adjusting compensation for inflation, the increments far surpass the accumulated impact of price increases since the last time salaries were revised. It must also be asked why, when the state has been pushing the burden of its poor decision-making onto honest, taxpaying citizens, should parliamentarians not share some of the financial load with ordinary citizens? Why should their incomes and allowances be insulated from the fallout of their own bad policies? Equally concerning is how cavalier this regime has been in dishing out 'favours' from public monies in the form of wage increases, special grants and allowances, as well as various exemptions. For example, salaries and allowances for judges were increased in the outgoing fiscal year by eye-watering amounts, while bar councils were handed special grants as the government ostensibly tried to curry favour with the legal community. Separately, there has been criticism about how media loyalties appear to have been influenced by government advertisements, which are paid for by the public. Likewise, the finance minister recently announced a special relief allowance at 50pc of the basic salary for armed forces officers, and 20pc for junior commissioned officers and soldiers. The government also put off, yet again, the restructuring of defence pensions, which have been consuming a hefty portion of the state's budget. The investments being made to bolster Pakistan's defence capabilities cannot be questioned, but increasing non-combat defence expenditures at this time, when the economy is under strain, will invite scrutiny, which the government must address. The public cannot be left feeling that it is the only loser in decisions being made on its behalf. Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2025