Disparity in allowance structure: APSECC seeks support of Bilawal, Aurangzeb for restoration

ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Secretariat Employees Coordination Council (APSECC) has sought support of Finance Minister, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb and Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for restoration of disparity in allowance structure which is affecting Private Secretaries and Senior Private Secretaries working in federal ministries and divisions.

In separate letters, APSECC Secretary General Zulfiqar Ahmad highlighted that the Federal Budget 2026-27 introduced a key relief measure for government employees by revising the “Executive Allowance on Pay Scales-2022,” computing it on the basis of Basic Pay Scale (BPS) 2022 instead of pay as on June 30, 2022, for officers from BS-17 to BS-22.

The council pointed out that historically, the federal cabinet had approved Executive Allowance at 150 percent of pay as of June 30, 2022, for officers in BS-17 to BS-22. However, Private Secretaries and Senior Private Secretaries (BS-17 to BS-19) were excluded from this benefit and were instead granted a Special Allowance at 100 percent of pay as a substitute.

According to the APSECC, the Special Allowance was introduced on the same terms and conditions as the Executive Allowance, with the understanding that any future revision in Executive Allowance would also be reflected in the Special Allowance to maintain parity.

However, the council noted that while the Executive Allowance has now been revised in line with Pay Scales-2022, the Special Allowance for Private Secretaries and Senior Private Secretaries continues to be calculated on the basis of pay as on June 30, 2022, thereby creating a disparity.

The letters further emphasised that Private Secretaries and Senior Private Secretaries perform highly sensitive and responsible duties, including direct support to senior officers, coordination with multiple stakeholders, handling confidential matters, and managing urgent official communications, often beyond normal office hours.

The APSECC warned that continuation of the existing mechanism for Special Allowance, in contrast to the revised Executive Allowance, undermines the principle of equitable treatment and negatively impacts the morale of the cadre.

The council has requested that the Special Allowance for Private Secretaries and Senior Private Secretaries be recalculated on Pay Scales-2022, on the analogy of Executive Allowance, to ensure consistency, equity, and fairness.

The Council has expressed the hope that both the Finance Minister and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari that both would take up the matter and facilitate a favorable decision to address the financial grievance of the affected employees.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026